Secretary-General of the National Planning Council and Chair of the Permanent Population Committee, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa with other officials during the event, yesterday. Pic: Mohamed Al Attar/ The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: The Permanent Population Committee (PPC) marked Qatar Population Day 2025 yesterday, with a focus on empowering youth, aligning directly with the country’s National Vision 2030. Held under the theme ‘The Role of Youth in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals,’ the event featured key discussions on investing in education, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership skills.
In his welcome note, the Secretary-General of the National Planning Council and Chair of the Permanent Population Committee, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser Al Khalifa, stated: “In Qatar, we operate according to a clear vision that drives the transformation toward a high-performing government built on national competencies, innovation in public service delivery, and a culture of institutional excellence and results-based accountability.”
He underscored that figures show youth under the age of 25 represent around 11 percent of Qatar’s population, a proportion that aligns closely with the global average of 15.6 percent. Despite this similarity, he stressed that Qatar distinguishes itself through strategic and forward-thinking initiatives to unlock the potential of its young population and actively engage them in shaping the nation’s development agenda.
Dr. Al Khalifa further pointed out that Qatar continues to record one of the lowest youth unemployment rates worldwide, maintaining a rate of below 0.5 percent last year. He mentioned that this score helped secure Qatar’s top-tier position among 181 countries in the Commonwealth Global Youth Development Index, underscoring the nation’s commitment to youth empowerment and investment in human capital as central pillars of sustainable national progress.
“We firmly believe that Qatari youth are the cornerstone and primary drivers of this institutional transformation. They are the ones who will lead government development, turning challenges into opportunities and ambitions into achievements that advance the Sustainable Development Goals and the nation’s progress,” Dr. Al Khalifa added.
The event also featured panel discussions and interactive sessions addressing the role of youth in innovation, volunteerism, and climate action, as well as the importance of data-driven policymaking in supporting their aspirations. Experts and young leaders shared success stories and initiatives that highlight Qatar’s ongoing efforts to create an enabling environment for youth participation in all sectors. The committee reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships between government entities, educational institutions, and civil society to further enhance youth engagement and ensure their active contribution to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
