Kathmandu, August 29
Nepal has redefined the age bracket for youths as individuals between 18 and 35 years under the newly endorsed National Youth Policy-2082 BS.
Executive Vice-Chairperson of the National Youth Council, Surendra Basnet, said the amendment was necessary to align with existing laws, as the Children’s Act defines anyone below 18 as children.
The previous National Youth Policy-2072 BS defined youth as those aged 16 to 40. As per the 2021 Census, people aged 16 to 40 made up 42.56 per cent of Nepal’s population.
The United Nations defines youth as those aged 15–24. Basnet noted that although the policy has been updated, the National Youth Council Act, 2072 BS still legally defines youths as those between 16 and 40 until amended.
He also pointed out that while the youth policy should be revised every five years, this amendment was made after a decade.
