TIMOR-LESTE National Human Development Report 2018

TIMOR-LESTE

National Human Development Report 2018

Planning the Opportunities for a Youthful Population

Empowered lives. Resilient nations.

A traditional Tara Bandu ceremony.

? Jin Ni

Women from Cafe Cooperativa Timor factory sort out coffee beans in Dili.

? Martine Perret

A girl carrying her good after return from Suai market. ? Bernardino Soares

Francisco Lobo, a final year student at UNTL, accessing books in the university library. ? Bernardino Soares

Copyright ? 2018

By the United Nations Development Programme 1 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission.

Sales no.: E.18.III.B.2 ISBN: 978-92-1-126436-4 eISBN: 978-92-1-363295-6

TIMOR-LESTE

National Human Development Report 2018

Planning the Opportunities for a Youthful Population

Published for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

National Human Development Report Production Team

Team Leader and Lead Author Associate Professor Udoy Saikia Project Manager Dr. Merve Hosgelen Principal Authors and Researchers Associate Professor Udoy Saikia, Dr. Merve Hosgelen, Associate Professor Gouranga Dasvarma, Dr. James Chalmers Authors of Background Papers Dr. Tim Anderson, Dr. Helen Hill, Professor Andrew Skuse, Dr. Ann Wigglesworth Editor Robert Zimmermann Layout and Design Phoenix Design Aid, Denmark

ii | TIMOR-LESTE NATIONAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT REPORT 2018

Message from the Prime Minister

It is my pleasure and honour to introduce the Timor-Leste National Human Development Report 2018, with the theme of "Providing Opportunities for a Youthful Population". This is the 4th National Human Development Report since the restoration of our independence in 2002 and it states the simple yet powerful idea that the youth of Timor-Leste are the real wealth of our nation and the engines of sustainable development. Hence, their well-being is pivotal for the prosperity and progress of our country.

Timor-Leste is on the march towards a more prosperous future in which all its citizens, young, old, male, female, rural, urban, of all faiths and backgrounds are empowered to realize their full potential, live with satisfaction and feel proud of their country. This endeavor, regardless of how challenging it may be, is highlighted in our vision that guides our National Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030.

While many milestones have already been achieved, we still have a long way to go to achieve a robust economy, a resilient environment and a cohesive society that have high levels of human development and well-being.

This report highlights that Timor-Leste has one of the youngest populations in the Asia-Pacific region, with 74 percent below the age of 35. Unemployment among our youth is wide-spread and the majority remain idle. Mean years of schooling is fewer than 5 and even shorter for our young girls. Unfortunately, the gender gap in employment and education is a reality. Hence, it is our shared responsibility to enable youth to gain the knowledge, skills and experiences that they need to lead the lives that they value.

We now have a demographic opportunity at our door step since the proportion of our economically productive age group in the total population is increasing. This can have a multiplier effect on sustainable human development if we foster smart policies now to significantly reduce the vulnerabilities of the youth. Many of our neighboring countries in Asia have benefited from the demographic window of opportunity, a phenomenon which only opens once for each country and lasts for about four to five decades. This opportunity arises when the share of people in productive working years exceeds the share of dependents, namely children and elderly.

The Timor-Leste National Human Development Report 2018 is a timely and useful contribution to the policy debate on how to develop our country's greatest asset, the young people, and unlock their potential to harness this demographic opportunity for accelerated economic and human development gains.

With its wealth of insights and data, this report assesses youth's strengths and challenges using a well-being framework that is holistic and multi-dimensional in its approach. It sheds light on youths' well-being vulnerabilities that constitute a barrier for achieving a demographic dividend. It stresses the importance of closing the youth well-being gap and the timeliness for more dedicated pro-youth investments now to yield a greater return for sustainable development in the future.

It is indeed our duty to implement smart policies and investments without any delay to address young people's challenges on multiple fronts, from decent employment and quality education to youth friendly health services and active citizenship. Gaps in education and skills are forcing too many young people, particularly young girls, to leave education at an early age, unprepared for work and life. A progressive and peaceful Timor-Leste requires an empowered generation of youth who are skilled, well-educated, and emotionally, physically, culturally and spiritually ready to contribute to the nation building process of Timor-Leste.

The responsibility rests on our nation, citizens and leaders alike to invest in youth and unlock their potential to help transform this unique nation for a sustainable and prosperous future. The evidence base that this report provides is a significant contribution for our efforts to promote human development, reduce inequalities, and ensure sound foundations for sustainable economic growth.

I am confident that the readers of this report will share the inspiration and dedication for working together towards improved youth well-being in Timor-Leste and unleash their potential to advance human development for all. It is my sincere hope that an inclusive and sustainable economic paradigm that truly serves the solidarity and well-being of our people as recommended by this report will firmly take root in Timor-Leste society and continue to be the guiding principle for our country's development strategies and policies.

Dr. Mar? Bim Amude Alkatiri Prime Minister Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

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