Economic Case for Investment

The wellbeing of today’s adolescents is paramount for our future. They will shape global outcomes in the decades ahead and will be both the parents and the workers of the next generation. In many countries, existing programs fall well short of meeting the needs of this burgeoning cohort, particularly for young women. Sharply increased investments in their wellbeing are urgently needed. An emerging literature has evaluated these investments, using standard investment methods such as cost-benefit analysis and rate of return analysis. These analyses have shown that enhanced investments in adolescent wellbeing are not only matters of justice and human rights, but show high economic and social returns.