November 6th, 2009. I am turning 24.

In the Netherlands, the life expectancy of a male inhabitant is 77,6 according to UNFPA State of the World Population 2008.

I have lived 30% of my life.

Looking at the world today, the increasing global population and the increasing life expectancy show a fascinating demographic. When my parents were born they entered a population of about 3 billion people. Since then the population doubled to 6.8 billion today. I will probably see the same growth in my lifetime, up to 9.2 billion in 2050. (I will be 65 by then.)

In the countries with a rising life expectancy the median age is going up, and the population pyramid is turning into a population ‘vase’, and eventually maybe a straight column?

(http://charts.jorgecamoes.com/animation-and-demographic-information-visualization)

The bottom of the population pyramid is also called the youth bulge. We can maybe say that this time in history is the peak of youth. Population goes up, and life expectancy goes up. If population reaches a steady level, life expectancy will still rise, and the global median age will keep going up. Will the youth start aging in 2050, creating a decrease in the youth bulge?

Most worrying is the consequences of the current “youth bulge” (technically a situation where 15-29 year olds make up more than 30% of a population) for global security. (…) In Africa and the Middle East, for example, there are estimated to be 300 million people aged 15-30 (out of a total population of 2 billion). – The battle of the youth bulge

The about quotation is from an interesting article by Malcolm McIntosh, where he also refers to the possible darker side of a youth bulge. Some scientist have linked youth bulges to war, genocide, colonialism, fascism and terrorism. Youth without a direction can be directed by an ideology, join a movement. This is an opportunity and a challenge, because youth is being educated to look up to the previous generation, and follow their values and realities.

Youth Supplement to UNFPA’s State of the World Population Report 2008:
There are more than 1.5 billion people between the ages of 10 and 24, the largest generation in human history. Approximately 70 per cent live in developing countries, 60 per cent in Asia alone. They enter adult- hood in a time of transformations in the economy, education, communication, demographics, the environment, technologies and culture.
Globalization is this generation’s hallmark, with free flow of markets, capital and products; easier travel, instant connections, and rapid urbanization, with more than half of world population living in cities and towns. The result is economic and cultural integration on a scale never before seen, with a tremendous impact on every aspect of life.
This generation of young people is also shaped by a trend towards democracy and the rise of civil society, giving them much more opportunity to participate in local and national decision-making.
Young people, especially girls, are more likely to be healthy and educated than previous generations; except that they – especially adolescent girls and young women – have been disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

So what?

No what do all these stats tell us, and what does this mean? And more important; why does this effect everyone, and why does it effect me?

My generation enters a world of global challenges, and it is up to us to do something about it. Climate change, economic crisis, population growth, HIV/AIDS, technological development, migrations, globalized markets, re-distribution of capital, and much more is on our plate. Challenges older generations has never seen before. And no one knows how to deal with them.

Could the biggest generation in history co-create the solutions?

Could the biggest generation in history come with a direction, instead of waiting for one?

Could the biggest generation in history start a movement, instead of joining one?

Could the biggest generation in history be the change we want to see in the world?

What about a Youth Renaissance?

Please join me in a discussion, here in the comments!