Advancing inclusive growth in cities for youth

Across the OECD and the EU, young people in cities face particular challenges in accessing quality jobs, affordable and adequate housing, essential services, and urban amenities. Addressing these challenges requires urgent action through people-centred, place-based and integrated approaches to foster inclusive growth for youth, ensuring that all young residents can contribute to and benefit from economic development in cities. This policy paper provides an overview of the challenges faced by young people in cities, as well as strategic guidance to support local and national policymakers in designing and implementing effective inclusive growth strategies tailored to youth. Drawing on evidence from a diverse range of cities, the paper highlights actions across five policy areas – education, employment, housing and the built environment, infrastructure and services, and climate action – as well as key enabling factors for effective implementation. It emphasises the importance of stronger co-ordination between policy departments rather than siloed approaches, providing early interventions and supporting young people through key life transitions, and adopting proactive outreach strategies that bring policies and services directly to where young people live, study and work.