Government and Young People Unite to Shape Nepal's Demographic Future

NepalHealthNews, Kathmandu.The Government of Nepal, together with the National Youth Council and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today marked World Population Day 2026 under the national theme, "Realizing the hopes and aspirations of young people- today and for the future." by bringing together policymakers and more than 150 young people to discuss how Nepal can respond to demographic change by placing the hopes and aspirations of young people at the centre of demographic and development policies.

The event featured the national launch of UNFPA's Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest global studies of its kind, capturing the views of nearly 109,000 young people across 73 countries. The findings show that young people continue to aspire to relationships and family life but are increasingly constrained by economic uncertainty, housing, employment, and other structural barriers.

Dr. Ojaswi Sherchan, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Education, and Information Technology, emphasized the state's responsibility to its youth, “The world is changing faster than ever before, and our policy must evolve by relying on robust evidence and analytical insights. If young people's aspirations are changing, our governance must also adapt. The best solutions emerge when generations work together: the wisdom and experience of one must be complemented by the creativity, energy and digital fluency of the other. "

Nepal is currently navigating a pivotal demographic transition. The country is moving from a historic youth bulge toward an ageing society, while simultaneously grappling with high rates of internal and international migration. To fully capitalize on the country’s demographic window of opportunity, as Mr. Gehanath Gautam, Administrative Chief of the National Youth Council, pointed out, strategic frameworks such as the developing Demographic Dividend Roadmap must reflect the aspirations, realities, and lived experiences of Nepal's young people.

Mr. Sriram Haridass, UNFPA Country Representative to Nepal, highlighted a shared mission between UNFPA and government partners, "Demographic change is not simply about population numbers. It is about people, their hopes, their aspirations, and the choices they are able to make. Our responsibility is to ensure that every young person in Nepal has the opportunity, the information, and the support to turn those aspirations into reality and help shape the country's future.”
 

The key findings were followed by a dynamic panel discussion and a plenary where youth representatives directly exchanged with policymakers regarding the systemic challenges influencing their decisions around relationships, parenthood, and migration.

Ms. Rita Thapa, Youth Activist, noted the urgency of this dialogue, “We want to pursue education, build careers, and grow our relationships and families. But when we look at the structural hurdles around us, it can be deeply worrying. As the survey rightfully depicts, we aren't running away from the responsibilities of adulthood, we just want the stability and support to fulfill them properly.”

UNFPA remains committed to working alongside the Government of Nepal, the National Youth Council, development partners, civil society, and young people to strengthen demographic intelligence, expand opportunities through education and decent work, advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ensure that demographic change becomes a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.