Young people, despite their significant role in contributing to national development goals, are often overlooked in programmes and initiatives. The Philippines' is currently experiencing a youth bulge, with an adolescent population that is projected to grow from 20 million in 2015 to 21.5 million by 2030.

Investing in adolescents and youth is crucial for countries like the Philippines that have yet to fully benefit from the demographic dividend. Such investment contributes directly to the formation of human capital, which is essential for a robust economy and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Today's youth will be instrumental in shaping the nation's future workforce, social structures, and economic development.

The Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child (LCSFC) will track a nationally representative group of 5,000 Filipino children over a 15-year period, from age 10 in 2016 to age 24 in 2030. The study is designed to provide critical insights into key development priorities for the Philippines, specifically: the demographic dividend, the AmBisyon 2040, and the SDGs.

To put a "human face" to the SDGs, the study is tracking the lived experiences of the SDG generation–those Filipino children who will transition from childhood through young adulthood–within the implementation period of these global goals. By following this cohort over 15 formative years, the study will offer a unique perspective on how these young individuals are faring while various programmes and policies designed to meet the SDG targets are in place.

Our Core Objectives

• Contribute to the body of evidence on population dynamics and sexual and reproductive health and rights, with a special focus on the SDG-related indicators.
• Provide an evidence-based resource that will inform national policy making and development planning particularly on how the SDG agenda can contribute to maximizing the potentials of the Filipino youth.