Timor-Leste has emerged as the country with the youngest population in Southeast Asia and the second youngest in all of Asia. According to data from Visual Capitalist, which publishes a list of the world’s youngest countries based on median age estimates from the 2024 CIA World Factbook, a low median age indicates a youthful population.
In Asia, Afghanistan holds the distinction of having the youngest population, with a median age of 20 years. Close behind is Timor-Leste, with a median age of 21 years, securing its position as the second youngest population in the continent.
This youthful demographic profile places Timor-Leste ahead of several other Southeast Asian nations. For instance, Laos ranks 11th in Asia with a median age of 25 years, while the Philippines follows closely in 12th place with a median age of 26 years.
The median age is a crucial indicator of the age distribution within a country’s population. A lower median age suggests a larger proportion of young people, which can have significant implications for the nation’s future economic development, social policies, and labor market dynamics.
For Timor-Leste, this youthful population presents both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, a younger population can drive economic growth through increased labor force participation and innovation. On the other hand, it necessitates substantial investment in education, healthcare, and job creation to ensure that the potential of this young demographic is fully realized.
As Timor-Leste continues to develop, understanding and leveraging its youthful population will be key to achieving sustainable growth and prosperity in the years to come.