World Bank Youth Summit Focuses on Jobs for the Digital Age
World Bank Youth Summit Focuses on Jobs for the Digital Age
Updated at: June 11, 2026 at 12:45 AM
The World Bank Group Youth Summit 2026, titled FutureWorks: Designing Jobs for the Digital Age, recently concluded its 13th annual gathering.
Held in Washington, D.C., and virtually, this event united thousands of young leaders aged 18 to 35 from over 170 countries.
The summit addresses a sobering reality: over the next decade, 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce in emerging markets, yet only 400 million jobs are projected to be available.
To bridge this gap, the event focused on three transformative pillars: education and skills, entrepreneurship, and agricultural modernization.
Through an Innovation Lab and a high-stakes Pitch Competition, participants explored how technology and new business models can drive growth.
The summit specifically emphasized the need for inclusive solutions in fragile and conflict-affected regions, ensuring that marginalized groups are not left behind.
By fostering dialogue between global leaders and the next generation, the World Bank aims to provide youth with the tools necessary to tackle the employment crisis.
Whether through sustainable farming or digital startups, these young innovators are designing the future of work.
