Islamabad: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA-Pakistan) in collaboration with the Prime Minister's Youth Program (PMYP) and Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) as implementing partner, on Wednesday launched the Youth Development Index (YDI) Tool 2025 to systematically measure and track the progress of youth well-being and development across Pakistan.
The initiative aims to establish the Pakistan Youth Development Index (PYDI) - 2026, demonstrating Pakistan's commitment to global frameworks including the United Nations, Commonwealth, and other international development organizations.
Under the partnership, SDPI will serve as the Secretariat of the PYDI Technical Working Group (TWG) to finalize the YDI tool, pre-testing methodology, validity, data collection instruments, domain weightings, and ensure the availability and suitability of indicators for the national index.
The Youth Development Index (YDI), originally developed by the Commonwealth Secretariat, is a composite measure assessing the multi-dimensional progress of young people aged 15-29 across sectors such as education, employment, health, civic participation, and political engagement.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Ali Malik, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, highlighted the urgent need for a localized youth index, noting that according to the 2023 Census, nearly 68-70% of Pakistan's population is under the age of 30.
He emphasized that if this vast demographic is harnessed effectively through enabling policies, Pakistan can achieve a powerful demographic dividend. However, neglecting youth development could lead to serious socio-economic challenges, including radicalization and extremism.
Dr. Malik stated that the PYDI will establish measurable indicators of youth empowerment and progress, allowing policymakers to assess performance, identify gaps, and design effective interventions aligned with national priorities and international benchmarks, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Reflecting on the earlier YDI 2021, he noted that data limitations had constrained accuracy, but with improved data frameworks and institutional capacity, PYDI 2026 will deliver more robust, evidence-based insights.
The PYDI is envisioned to serve as a policy guide for government and stakeholders, supporting youth-focused programs in health, education, socio-economic empowerment, and civic engagement.
Dr. Malik reaffirmed the government's commitment to empowering Pakistan's youth, calling them the driving force of the nation's future.