Supporting Youth at Risk: A Policy Toolkit for Middle-Income Countries

Youth at risk can be defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 24 who face “environmental, social, and family conditions that hinder their personal development and their successful integration into society as productive citizens". The World Bank has produced this Policy Toolkit in response to a growing demand from its government clients and partners for advice on how to create and implement effective policies for at-risk youth. Highlighted are 22 policies (six core policies, nine promising policies, and seven general policies) that have been effective in addressing the following five key risk areas for young people around the world: i) youth unemployment, underemployment, and lack of formal sector employment; ii) early school leaving; iii) risky sexual behavior leading to early childbearing and HIV/AIDS; iv) crime and violence; v) substance abuse.