Economics & Development

The Netherlands is a high-income, low-lying country whose geography has made flood risk a defining national challenge. Bordering the North Sea and crossed by the Rhine and Meuse Rivers, the Netherlands is, to a large extent, a country of man-made and water-managed landscapes. Over centuries, wetlands and lakes were drained to create habitable land, which has since been protected through an extensive system of flood defenses, river regulation works, and coastal nourishment. Today, approximately one third of the country lies below sea level, and around two thirds of the Dutch population live in areas at risk of coastal, riverine, or lake flooding, with potential inundation depths exceeding five meters in some locations.

This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the status, opportunities, and challenges facing Nigeria’s youth population aged 15 to 30. It examines key dimensions of youth development, including demographics, education and skills, employment, health and well-being, financial and digital inclusion, and civic engagement. The report highlights that although Nigeria possesses one of the world’s largest youth populations, significant barriers persist in translating this demographic advantage into broad-based economic growth and prosperity. Findings reveal low educational attainment, widespread unemployment and underemployment, limited access to quality jobs, health services, financial systems, and digital technologies, alongside pronounced gender, regional, and rural-urban disparities. The report also documents growing youth aspirations for migration, concerns about governance, and declining confidence in economic opportunities. It concludes that targeted investments in human capital, employment creation, financial inclusion, health services, and youth empowerment are essential for Nigeria to realize its demographic dividend and foster inclusive development.