Sabah has second highest number of youths in the country

 By Olivia Miwil - March 23, 2022 @ 5:36pm

State Youth and Sports minister Datuk Ellron Angin said last year, there were 2,923,100 people in the state aged between 15 and 40. -BERNAMA file pic

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has the second highest number of youths in the country after Selangor.

State Youth and Sports minister Datuk Ellron Angin said last year, there were 2,923,100 people in the state aged between 15 and 40.

"Based on data issued by the Malaysian Youth Development Research Institute for 2022, (the population of) Sabah youth aged between 15 and 40 numbered 2,071,400 people.

"It also showed that the male population aged 15 to 40 in 2022 is 1,081,500 while females numbered 989,900," he said during the ministry's winding up session at the state assembly sitting.

However, Ellron said the population was projected to be reduced by 78,800 or 3.8 per cent in 2042.

He said to realise the youngsters' aspiration to contribute to the development of human capital, economy and social wellbeing in Sabah, the ministry has allocated funds for programmes that will change youngsters' thinking patterns.

Among these programmes are Felo Sabah Maju Jaya which saw 24 universiti students working at 12 Sabah cabinet offices; while Dewan Belia Sabah is for youngsters to voice out their ideas in youth conventions with each representing 73 constituencies in Sabah.

As for Sabah Youth Volunteer Community, Ellron said that the programme was a professional humanitarian and social work training.

He also added that another activity planned will provide an opportunity for Sabah youths to engage in an international youth exchange programme.

"It strives to build youth capacity by engaging them in various activities related to education, skills, agro-tourism, politics and governance as well as the Industrial Revolution (IR) with youths in selected countries."

"Talks on the content of the programmes have begun with Japan, Turkey and the United States.

"In addition, discussions are also ongoing with countries within Asean. The selection of these countries is based on progress in terms of the Industrial Revolution, Innovation, Culture and Governance of the country."