Population growth, youths bulge and social conflict - The challenge of the nation building process of Asia’s newest nation - Timor-Leste

As globally 2.5 billion more people are going to be added by 2075 to current population and as 85% of these additions will be from developing countries with a very high proportion young population, it raises the concern that in future the destabilising effects of demographic changes could have a profound impact not only on national security but also global security. This concern has been echoed by United Nations in its report which mentions that societies currently in conflict or in post conflict transition, are facing a demographic challenge of extremely high proportion of young population at a time when people in these societies are still recovering from the scars of occupation, an economic slump, and periodic outbreaks of political violence. Timor-Leste, Asia’s newest nation characterised by exceptionally high fertility rates, extremely low formal sector employment and very limited international migration options, will generate very high proportions of excess labour. Analysis based on a combination of primary and secondary data this paper predicts that the unmet aspirations and building frustration of the youths may lead to re-emerging civil conflict as evident in the recent past unless the country utilise the widow of opportunity for a demographic dividend.