akistan, blessed with one of the largest youth populations in the world, has yet to benefit from its energy, intelligence and ambition. Guided well and empowered, this generation can become Pakistan’s greatest strength. If neglected, however, it risks becoming a missed opportunity of historic proportions. Today the Pakistani youth are not showing the familiar signs of social rebellion or unrest. The crisis instead is far quieter, and therefore far more dangerous: a growing sense of uncertainty about where life is headed.

My job requires extensive travel across the Punjab. Across cities and small towns, I come across young people studying, training and trying to prepare for the future. They are apparently doing what the society asks of them. Yet, many feel stuck in a long waiting room between education and meaningful work. This is not due to a lack of effort or talent. It is the result of a rapidly changing global economy that demands new skills, fast adaptation and stronger links between education and employment—areas where many developing countries, including Pakistan, are still adjusting.

This challenge is not unique to Pakistan. Many nations with large youth populations have faced similar moments of uncertainty. The difference lies in how quickly and clearly they have responded. Countries that treated youth employment as a long-term national investment, rather than a short-term political issue, were able to turn the pressure into progress.

One key difference is that modern economies no longer reward all university degrees. Around the world, employers increasingly look for practical skills, adaptability and problem-solving ability. Young Pakistanis, like their peers elsewhere, are discovering that traditional education does not always translate directly into opportunity. This gap creates frustration—not because expectations are unrealistic, but because pathways are unclear.

In South Korea, a country that rebuilt itself after war and poverty, the government made a deliberate decision to align education with national economic goals. Universities, technical institutes and industries worked together to prepare students for sectors that were expanding, such as electronics, engineering and technology. Young people could see where their education would lead. As a result, ambition was matched with direction.

Ireland faced massive youth unemployment in the 1980s. Instead of allowing an entire generation to drift, the country invested in skills, technology and global integration. By focusing on education quality, foreign investment and innovation, Ireland transformed itself into a hub for technology and knowledge-based industries. Today, many Irish professionals are choosing to stay—or return.

Pakistan’s youth are watching these examples closely. They are connected to the world through digital platforms, international education trends and global labour markets. When they see other countries offering clear routes from learning to earning, they compare those systems with their own experience. This comparison shapes aspirations, decisions and expectations.

The challenge is not unique to Pakistan. Many nations with large youth populations have faced similar moments of uncertainty. The difference lies in how quickly and clearly they responded.

An important lesson comes from Malaysia. Faced with a diverse population and a developing economy, Malaysia invested heavily in technical and vocational education while also expanding the higher education sector. The country focused on creating multiple pathways to success, recognising that not every young person needs to follow the same route. This flexibility allowed the youth to find roles suited to their strengths, whether in manufacturing, services or entrepreneurship.

Pakistan has taken some steps in this direction as well, particularly through skills programmes, digital initiatives and youth-focused schemes. However, the scale of the challenge means that continuity and coordination are essential. Youth development is not a one-year or one-budget exercise. It requires patience, consistency and strong partnerships between the public sector, private industry and educational institutions.

What makes the current situation urgent is the speed at which young people are making decisions that will determine the trajectories of their lives. Many are considering opportunities abroad not out of dissatisfaction, but out of caution. They are hedging against uncertainty. This is a rational response in a globalised world where talent is mobile and borders are increasingly porous. Countries that wish to retain their youth must compete not with mere appeals to patriotism, but on opportunity.

China offers a powerful example of how scale and planning can change outcomes. By expanding manufacturing, investing in infrastructure and moving up the value chain, China absorbed millions of young workers into productive employment. Over time, it shifted focus toward innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, giving each generation the space to grow.

Indonesia faced similar demographic pressure. Through steady economic reforms, investment in small and medium enterprises and improvements in vocational training, it created jobs that matched the needs of its young population. Progress was gradual, not dramatic, but it was consistent—and that consistency mattered.

The common lesson from these experiences across the world is simple: young people do not need guarantees; they need direction. They need to believe that skills will be rewarded, that effort will lead somewhere and that staying engaged with the society makes sense. When that belief exists, motivation follows naturally.

Pakistan’s youth are ready to contribute. They are starting businesses, learning new technologies, freelancing and adapting in creative ways. What they need is an ecosystem that supports these efforts—one that connects education with industry, encourages innovation and values all forms of productive work.

This moment should be seen not as a crisis of failure, but as a test of vision. Countries that recognised the power of their youth early have built lasting prosperity. Those that hesitated have been forced to pay the price in lost decades.

Pakistan still has time. The direction chosen today will shape the country for generations.

The writer is a chartered accountant and a business analyst.