Launch of the Youth Progress Index: Measuring the quality of life of young people worldwide

On 16 May 2018, the Youth Progress Index was presented at the European Parliament in Brussels during a launch event hosted by Mr Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament.

During the past two years, the Office of International IDEA to the European Union supported the European Youth Forum (EYF), Social Progress Imperative (SPI), Deloitte, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), and the International Organisation of Employers (IOE) in the development of an Index focused on youth wellbeing and progress. The Youth Progress Index measures social progress of youth, and their inclusion and participation in society by using the methodological framework of the Social Progress Index.                                                                                       

“Young people are an integral part of sustainable democratic societies worldwide. Measuring their wellbeing on a regular and comprehensive basis, to support progress-oriented policymaking, is therefore a vital responsibility. The Youth Progress Index complements existing measurement systems by its comprehensive approach, large geographic coverage, and analysis beyond GDP and other economic indicators. I hope that the Youth Progress Index will contribute to more accountable and age-sensitive decision-making, resulting in an improved quality of life for young people globally.”

— Andrew Bradley, Director and Head of the Office of International IDEA to the EU.

The Office of International IDEA to the EU, as an associate partner to the project, engaged in regular exchanges and research facilitation to build the Youth Progress Index and its Report, and facilitated a presentation during a side event at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Third Committee in New York (October 2017).

To learn how this mapping exercise, together with country scorecards, can be a useful guide for public authorities or youth organizations to contribute to their country’s Voluntary National Review (VNR) in support of the 2030 Agenda, access the full report here.

Read more about the index findings on the European Youth Forum’s website.

The Youth Progress Index complements other leading global efforts such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which promotes a more holistic approach to progress and its measurement. All 17 Sustainable Development Goals and most of the 169 targets are covered in this one simple framework. The Youth Progress Index can be an empowering tool for youth and youth organizations, creating more self-awareness on their rights and needs, and providing data on the basis of which they can advocate for progress.

In particular, the Youth Progress Index shows that the opportunity dimension poses challenges on many different levels, from data availability to the interpretation of results and identifying solutions. This includes challenges related to the level of democratic participation of youth. The Office of International IDEA to the EU is committed to promote democratic participation of youth through its programmatic work on representation and participation of young people in democratic governance for development, and on the Intergenerational Dialogue on Democracy. For more information on this work, please consult our Office of International IDEA to the EU.

Share your thoughts and reactions to the new index and call for youth data on social media using #YouthProgress.

Mr Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament, Mr Michael Green, CEO of the Social Progress Imperative and Mr Rik Vanpeteghem, Regional Managing Director Deloitte at the presentation of the Youth Progress Index in the European Parliament, 16 May 2018. (Photo credit: Marilyn Neven)