| Key Takeaways Pakistan has one of the youngest populations in its history, and the labour market is under strain. Youth empowerment initiatives matter because they build practical skills, provide mentorship, support small businesses and give young people a voice. They work best alongside a growing economy, and no program can promise a job or a funded startup. |
UNDP’s 2017 National Human Development Report found that 64 percent of Pakistanis are under 30. That is not a trend to wait out. It is today’s population, and the latest Labour Force Survey says about 3.5 million people join the labour force each year. Whether those young people find useful work, good advice and a say in public life will shape the economy and society for decades. Youth empowerment initiatives matter because they work on exactly those things.
The Opportunity and the Gap
The labour market is not keeping pace. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ Labour Force Survey 2024-25 recorded unemployment of 7.1 percent, the highest in 21 years, with the number of unemployed rising from 4.5 million to 5.9 million since 2020-21. Joblessness among 15 to 29 year-olds rose to 11.5 percent from 10.3 percent. Women faced a 10.5 percent rate against 6.0 percent for men, and degree holders reported 10.9 percent. The survey adopted new international definitions, so comparisons with earlier rounds need care. One lesson stands out: a degree alone does not guarantee a job.
How Youth Empowerment Initiatives Contribute
Economic growth and employment
Young people who find steady work earn, spend and pay taxes. Those who cannot represent lost output and pressure on families. Structured internships and training tied to real employers shorten the distance between study and a first job. Programs cannot create jobs where the wider economy does not, but they can help candidates be ready when roles open.
Entrepreneurship and innovation
Small businesses can absorb workers a tight job market cannot. Young founders tend to have ideas and energy but less experience, which is where mentorship, business-plan support and peer networks help. Most innovation at this level is modest: a better delivery service, a local app, a cleaner supply chain. Modest solutions to real problems are still worth supporting.
Digital skills
IT and IT-enabled services exports reached a record US$4.6 billion in FY2025-26, up 20.6 percent from US$3.8 billion, and the Pakistan Software Export Board says freelancers contributed more than US$1.1 billion of it. No single training program can claim that result. The figures do show real demand for skills like design, development and digital marketing, and one marketable skill, proved with real projects, is among the most accessible ways in.
Leadership, civic participation and social development
UNDP’s youth report named meaningful engagement as one of three drivers of empowerment, alongside quality education and gainful employment. It found that young people want to be involved even though they have few ways to be heard. Leadership training, youth clubs and volunteering give them practice at organising, deciding and speaking up, and they bring together people from different backgrounds. These results are harder to measure than export figures, so judge programs by what participants can show for them.
Challenges Young Pakistanis Face
- Skills gap. Employers want practical ability, and many graduates have credentials without work samples.
- Limited mentorship. Many young people have nobody nearby who has run a business or hired staff.
- Funding barriers. Young founders often lack collateral and a credit history, which makes early money hard to find.
- Unequal opportunity. Outcomes differ by gender and by place. Unemployment ranges from 9.6 percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to 5.3 percent in Sindh.
What Works: Practical Solutions
| Approach | What it offers | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Mentorship | Judgment from someone a few steps ahead | A clear goal, an agreed meeting rhythm, no demand for payment or equity upfront |
| Skills training | A practical, marketable ability | Project-based learning, a portfolio, employer input |
| Entrepreneurship programs | Business planning, networking, sometimes funding | Transparent terms; confirm any funding conditions |
| Youth-led initiatives | Leadership practice and local solutions | Real decision-making roles and a plan to last |
Mentorship is the easiest to start and the easiest to do badly. Our guide on how to find a business mentor in Pakistan covers how to choose one, make a short and specific request, and turn advice into action.
Where YES Pakistan Fits
YES Pakistan (Youth Excellence Solidarity) is an initiative of Al Sadat Group. Its website describes nine internship tracks, from digital marketing to web development, a mentorship program, leadership training, startup support covering business plan help, mentorship, networking and seed funding, a Govt. Jobs Online Portal and a Youth Club/Corner. These are program descriptions from its own pages, not reported outcomes, and taking part does not guarantee a job or funding. Confirm availability, eligibility and terms before you apply. For the wider picture, read YES Pakistan and the future of youth development in Pakistan.
A Sensible First Step
If you are a student, graduate or early-stage founder, begin with the need that matters most right now: experience, a skill or advice. Browse the YES Pakistan programs page and, if something fits, use the internship application form. Employers and mentors who want to get involved can use the same route.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are youth empowerment initiatives important for Pakistan?
About 64 percent of Pakistanis are under 30, according to UNDP’s 2017 National Human Development Report. Initiatives that build skills, offer guidance and open paths to work help turn that population into productive workers, founders and engaged citizens.
How do youth empowerment initiatives support the economy?
They help young people get ready for jobs, start small businesses and build digital skills that earn income. Results depend on wider economic conditions too, so no program can promise employment on its own.
What skills should young Pakistanis build first?
A practical, marketable skill such as design, web development, digital marketing or content writing is a sound start, backed by communication skills and a small portfolio of real work.
How can a young person find a mentor in Pakistan?
Define a specific goal, look in incubators, founder networks, chambers of commerce and youth programs, then send a short, specific request. Start with 20 minutes, not a long-term commitment.
Does YES Pakistan guarantee jobs or startup funding?
No. Its website describes internships, mentorship, leadership training and startup support, but no program can guarantee employment or funding. Confirm current availability and eligibility directly with YES Pakistan.