Integral Inclusion: A Renewed Way of Supporting Youth Trajectories in Development Policies

International institutions, development banks, civil society organizations, and research institutions are paying increasing attention to the transition period between childhood and adulthood, marked by social, economic, and identity-related transformations. This interest emerges in a context of contrasting global demographic trends. While Europe is experiencing rapid population aging, many African countries are characterized by very young demographic structures. This dynamic fuels the idea of a potential “demographic dividend.” It calls for strengthened youth-related development policies, as young people’s trajectories are shaped by structural transformations such as changes in labor markets, rapid urbanization, social and territorial inequalities, and the effects of climate change.