Qatar has emphasized the critical role of investing in youth to address high unemployment rates and promote inclusive economic growth. Speaking at the World Investment Forum 2026, HE Yasir bin Abdulla al-Jamal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Sports and Youth, outlined the scale of global youth unemployment and the challenges faced, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Al-Jamal highlighted that 257 million young people worldwide are currently not engaged in work, education, or training, with youth unemployment in the Arab region reaching 26.2%. The MENA region is home to more than 140 million individuals under the age of 30, representing a substantial potential workforce. He stressed that the issue stems not from a lack of talent but rather from insufficient opportunities.
The Ministry of Sports and Youth in Qatar has introduced a range of initiatives aimed at equipping young people with skills and experience to facilitate their integration into the labour market or entrepreneurship. These programmes include youth centres and partnerships designed to foster teamwork, responsibility, and resilience, while building practical experience and professional networks.
Among the initiatives, several support high school graduates in transitioning to university and selecting appropriate academic fields, while others provide work-placement opportunities through collaboration with various stakeholders. Over the past year, more than 1,500 young people have benefited from these efforts, bridging the gap between education and industry.
For young entrepreneurs, Qatar has established the Youth Small Business Centre, which provides access to investors, universities, business support services, and public-private sector partnerships. This centre has engaged more than 13,000 participants over two years through over 200 training sessions and workshops, aiming to nurture business creation and economic participation.
Al-Jamal underscored the importance of collaborative efforts among government bodies, private companies, educational institutions, and international partners to ensure the success of youth empowerment programmes. He noted that effective initiatives involve young people and industry representatives working together to design programmes that address both youth aspirations and market needs. Qatar's ecosystem for small and medium-sized enterprises includes more than 150 entities providing broad support to aspiring young entrepreneurs.
International cooperation was also highlighted as a key factor in expanding opportunities. Al-Jamal referenced Qatar’s strategic partnerships such as Silatech’s collaboration with UNICEF’s Generations Unlimited Programme, which has helped create five million employment opportunities for Arab youth. Additionally, the UNCTAR programme has trained over 550 individuals across more than 40 countries.
Concluding his address, al-Jamal called for a paradigm shift in perceptions of young people, urging recognition of their active role as contributors to economic and social development rather than merely future employees. He emphasized that equipping youth with skills, confidence, networks, and resources can enable them to secure jobs, start businesses, and generate employment for others, ultimately fostering sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Talent is everywhere, but ability is not. Partnerships are crucial to distributing opportunities more fairly and ensuring that young people can play a meaningful role in shaping the future,” he said.