The Status of Youth in Agrifood Systems 2025 report (released in 2025 by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - FAO) is a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment analyzing the critical role of the world's 1.3 billion young people in transforming global agrifood systems (AFS) and achieving decent job opportunities and food security. The report stresses that success in AFS transformation hinges on making the sector attractive, equitable, and sustainable for youth.
Key Insights
Major Youth Employer: Agrifood systems employ 44 percent of the world's working youth, making AFS the single largest employer of young people, and could add an estimated USD 670 billion to global GDP if all youth had decent jobs.
Climate & Mobility Risks: 395 million rural youth (69 percent of the global rural youth population) live in areas projected to see declines in agricultural productivity due to climate change, which fuels both domestic and international youth migration.
Vulnerability and Gender Gap: Youth are disproportionately represented in precarious, low-skilled, and poorly remunerated jobs in AFS. Young women account for two-thirds of the over 20 percent of youth globally who are Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET).
Resource Barriers: Young people, particularly rural youth, face systemic challenges accessing key productive resources such as land, finance, and extension services, which restricts their ability to adopt new practices and formalize their businesses.
Dual Call to Action: The report advocates for a dual approach: expand economic prospects through job creation, and empower youth with resources and skills.
