Jobs for the Next Generation

A historic demographic tide is rising across the developing world—and it could define the global economy for generations to come. Over the next 25 years, countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East—will see an unprecedented surge in their working-age population. Never before have so many people entered the labor force in such a short span of time.

This wave of workers could become one of the great economic opportunities of the 21st century. With the right policies, it could unlock faster growth, greater innovation, and higher living standards across wide swaths of the world. By the same token, failure to seize the opportunity could fuel social unrest and instability that will inevitably transcend national borders. The difference hinges on a single word: jobs. If economies can generate them in abundance, the world will gain its much-needed demographic dividend.

ABCDE 2026, titled “Jobs for the Next Generation,” will confront the global jobs challenge head-on. The conference—scheduled for June 16–17, 2026, is organized by the World Bank in partnership with Georgetown University. It will bring together some of the world’s leading economic thinkers, to examine what works, what does not, and what must change. It will explore how to accelerate growth that generates more and better jobs, how to equip workers with the skills needed for tomorrow’s labor markets, and how to dismantle structural barriers that keep millions locked out of economic opportunity.

• Overview
• Agenda