Staff Reporter<\/p>\n\n\n\n
NAMIBIA has called for greater investment in young people’s health, opportunities and future prospects as the country commemorated World Population Day 2026 under the theme, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People \u2013 Today and for the Future.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The national event, led by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Health Organization (WHO), Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), Khomas Regional Council and other partners, focused on preventing teenage pregnancy and creating an environment where adolescents and young people can make informed choices and achieve their aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A key highlight of the commemoration was the launch of UNFPA’s report, Lives, Choices and Futures: What Young People Want and What Shapes Their Decisions About Relationships and Parenthood, which examines the aspirations of more than 108,000 young adults aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries and territories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report found that while many young people continue to aspire to marriage and having children, financial insecurity, rising living costs, housing challenges and other structural barriers are preventing many from achieving their desired futures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It found that more than two-thirds of young adults globally view marriage as part of their ideal future, but many struggle to form partnerships, with one in four people aged 25 to 39 who want a partner currently single and not dating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also highlighted a gap between desired and actual family sizes, showing that across regions and income groups, people aged 35 to 39 are generally having fewer children than the number they consider ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic security emerged as one of the strongest factors influencing decisions about starting families, with 88% of respondents identifying financial stability and 87% citing stable employment as key requirements for becoming parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Economic and housing constraints were identified as the biggest barriers to forming partnerships and having children, with housing challenges emerging as a growing concern among young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also found differences in how young people view the future, with optimism particularly high among young adults in Africa. About 62% of respondents in West and Central Africa and 48% in East and Southern Africa reported high levels of optimism, while lower levels were recorded in Western Europe, North America and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Globally, conflict, security risks, economic insecurity and inequality were among the leading concerns affecting young people’s outlook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commemoration also featured the premiere of the documentary Teenage Pregnancy in Namibia, produced by UNFPA and NBC in collaboration with Government ministries, followed by a high-level dialogue on evidence-based solutions to address teenage pregnancy and improve outcomes for adolescents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Health Organization Namibia stressed the importance of ensuring young people have access to confidential, youth-friendly healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive health services, mental health support, nutrition services, HIV prevention and protection from violence and substance-related harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organisation said investing in young people’s health and wellbeing is essential to empowering them to make informed decisions, reach their full potential and contribute to healthier communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The UNFPA report further highlighted the continued influence of gender norms on family and work decisions, noting that women often experience greater pressure and barriers when making choices around parenthood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It found that respondents were more likely to disapprove of mothers working full-time while caring for children under three than fathers in similar circumstances, pointing to continued expectations around caregiving roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also examined the role of digital platforms in young people’s lives, finding that while many spend significant time online for entertainment, social media is less commonly used for finding romantic partners. Despite the growth of dating applications, many young people still meet partners through personal networks such as friends and family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report concludes that declining fertility rates are not necessarily driven by young people rejecting family life, but rather by a lack of sufficient support and opportunities to realise their aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
UNFPA called for policies focused on affordable housing, job security, gender equality and improved access to services to help young people build the futures they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The commemoration concluded with a Call to Action urging continued collaboration among Government, development partners, communities and young people to create a more supportive environment for Namibia’s youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Photo: World Health Organization Namibia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Staff Reporter NAMIBIA has called for greater investment in young people’s health, opportunities and future prospects as the country commemorated World Population Day 2026 under the theme, “Realising the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People \u2013 Today and for the Future.” The national event, led by the National Planning Commission (NPC) in collaboration with the …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":398269,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-398268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n