SESRIC has released its flagship report “State of Youth in the OIC Member States 2025”, which was prepared in collaboration with the Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF). The report provides an in-depth analysis of the situation of young people across OIC Member States and serves as a technical background document for the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers (ICYSM).

According to the report, OIC countries were home to approximately 381 million young people aged 15-24 in 2024, representing around 30% of the global youth population. Between 2019 and 2024, the youth population in OIC countries grew at an average annual rate of 1.7%, surpassing the global average of 0.7%. This young demography presents significant opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development in OIC countries, provided that effective policies and investments are implemented to support youth empowerment and inclusion.

The report also examines several key dimensions of youth well-being and development in OIC countries, including health, education and skills development, economic participation, and social participation. In the health sector, life expectancy at age 15 reached 57 years in 2024, about five years below the global average, reflecting persistent disparities in access to health services. In education, youth literacy stands at 83.8%, while tertiary education enrolment increased from 34.1 million in 2014 to 46.8 million in 2024, indicating expanding access to higher education.

Regarding economic participation, the youth labour force in OIC countries reached 158 million in 2024 and is expected to grow further. Between 2020 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate declined from 13.9% to 10.9%, while the share of youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET) decreased slightly from 27.9% to 26.3%. In terms of social participation, the Youth Development Index for OIC countries increased from 0.61 in 2013 to 0.70 in 2023, signaling gradual progress in youth empowerment, although participation levels remain uneven across Member States.

Overall, the report highlights the importance of investing in education, skills development, employment opportunities, and inclusive social policies to enable young people to realize their full potential. It also underscores that harnessing the demographic advantage of youth requires coordinated national strategies and stronger cooperation among OIC Member States.

By providing data-driven insights and analysis, the report aims to support policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders in understanding emerging youth trends and designing evidence-based policies that promote youth empowerment and sustainable development across OIC countries, thereby contributing to the implementation of the OIC Youth Strategy.

Online Electronic Version

• State of Youth in the OIC Member States 2025 (English)