Kathmandu: The Government of Nepal, in collaboration with the National Youth Council and UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, today marked World Population Day 2026 under the national theme, “Realizing the Hopes and Aspirations of Young People: Today and for the Future.”
The event brought together policymakers and more than 150 young people to discuss how Nepal can respond to demographic change by placing the hopes, aspirations, and realities of young people at the centre of demographic and development policies.
A key highlight of the event was the national launch of UNFPA’s Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest global studies of its kind, which captures the perspectives of nearly 109,000 young people across 73 countries.
The survey findings reveal that while young people continue to aspire to meaningful relationships and family life, they are increasingly constrained by economic uncertainty, housing challenges, employment concerns, and other structural barriers.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ojaswi Sherchan, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Education and Information Technology, emphasized the state’s responsibility towards young people. “The world is changing faster than ever before, and our policies must evolve by relying on robust evidence and analytical insights. If young people’s aspirations are changing, our governance must adapt as well. The best solutions emerge when generations work together: the wisdom and experience of one generation must be complemented by the creativity, energy, and digital fluency of the other.”
Nepal is currently undergoing a critical demographic transition, moving from a historic youth bulge towards an ageing society while simultaneously facing high levels of both internal and international migration.
As Mr. Gehanath Gautam, Administrative Chief of the National Youth Council, highlighted, strategic frameworks such as the forthcoming Demographic Dividend Roadmap must reflect the aspirations, lived experiences, and realities of Nepal’s young people if the country is to fully capitalize on its demographic window of opportunity.
Mr. Sriram Haridass, UNFPA Representative for Nepal, underscored the shared commitment between UNFPA and government partners. “Demographic change is not simply about population numbers. It is about people, their hopes, their aspirations, and the choices they are able to make. Our responsibility is to ensure that every young person in Nepal has the opportunity, information, and support needed to turn those aspirations into reality and help shape the country’s future.”
The presentation of the survey findings was followed by an interactive panel discussion and plenary session, where youth representatives engaged directly with policymakers on the systemic challenges influencing decisions related to relationships, parenthood, and migration.
Highlighting the urgency of the discussion, Ms. Rita Thapa, Youth Activist, said: “We want to pursue education, build careers, and nurture our relationships and families. But when we look at the structural barriers around us, it can be deeply concerning. As the survey clearly shows, we are not running away from the responsibilities of adulthood; we simply want the stability and support necessary to fulfill them properly.”
UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Government of Nepal, the National Youth Council, development partners, civil society organizations, and young people to strengthen demographic intelligence, expand opportunities through education and decent work, advance sexual and reproductive health and rights, and ensure that demographic change becomes a driver of inclusive and sustainable development in Nepal.
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