Definition of Youth

While Angola has a national youth plan, it does not define a specific age range for youth. In its 2006 youth assessment report, USAID defines youth as 15-30, while the African Youth Charter (to which Angola is a signatory) defines it as 15-35.

AGO

Marriageable Age

  • Opposite Sex
  • Same Sex
  • Without parental consent
  • with parental consent
  • Male
  • 18
  • 16
  • XX
  • Female
  • 18
  • 15
  • XX



    • According to the UN Statistics Division, opposite sex marriage with parental consent for persons younger than 18 only can only occur in exceptional circumstances. Homosexual acts are illegal. Source: UNSD, ILGA

Candidacy Age

Criminal Responsibility

14
Minimum Age
Source:  Penal Code of Angola
(2006)

Majority Age

18

Source: Constitution of Angola (2010)

Voting Age

18

Compulsory voting.
Source:  Inter-Parliamentary Union

Situation of Young People

Youth Development Index

0.31
156 out of 170 countries.

Literacy Rates

72.93%
Both sexes (15-24) %
  • 78.63% Male (15-24) %
  • 67.28% Female (15-24) %

Net Enrolment Rate

Secondary School
13.46%
Both sexes %
  • 14.87%Male %
  • 12.07% Female %

Situation of Young People

Prevalence of HIV

0.6%
Male (15-24) %
1.2%
Female (15-24) %

Tobacco Use

Consumed any smokeless or smoking tobacco product at least once 30 days prior to the survey.
--
Both sexes (13-15) %
  • -- Male (13-15) %
  • -- Female (13-15) %
  • Year: No data.
  • Source: WHO

Policy & Legislation

Is there a national youth policy?
Yes
Angola has a governmental national youth plan. A 2006 international profile by USAID provides additional context.

The national youth plan identifies several areas of action, including: integrating youth in governmental institutions, promoting leisure and exchange, improving education and teaching, invest in citizenship education, improving health outcomes, the establishment of a youth/student discount card, promoting sports as well as youth entrepreneurship. According to the Agência Angola Press (9 August 2011), the Minister for Youth and Sports announced in August 2011 the government’s commitment to creating and approving a Youth Law. The law would be multi-sectorial and pay special attention to housing. As of the publishing date of this Fact Sheet, there has been no additional news of a Youth Law, nor is it listed on the Ministry of Youth and Sports website.

Public Institutions

Is there a governmental authority
(ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth?
Yes
The Ministry of Youth and Sports is responsible for the implementation of the national youth plan, as well as advocating and coordinating with other government ministries on behalf of youth. According to the 2006 USAID report, the Ministry is also responsible for youth centres throughout the country, providing services such as entrepreneurship training, library services and recreation. USAID has a direct partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, supporting the implementation of the national youth plan with its own programming in the country.

Youth and Representation

Does the country have a national youth organisation / association (council, platform, body)?
Yes
According to the 2006 USAID report, the National Youth Council of Angola (Conselho Nacional da Juventude de Angola) is the national-level platform for diverse youth associations throughout the country, advising the government on youth policies. Founded in 1991, it is comprised of 18 provincial councils that carry out its activities, relating mainly to the training of youth leaders, HIV/AIDS education and prevention, as well as vaccination campaigns. The Council also represents Angola in international youth meetings.

Budget & Spending

What is the budget allocated to the governmental authority (ministry, department or office) that is primarily responsible for youth and/or youth programming?
Unclear
According to Agência Angola Press (21 November 2011), the 2012 State Budget by the 5th Commission of the National Assembly allocated AOA 4.0 billion (USD 40.9 million) to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It is unclear how much of this amount is specifically for youth. According to the World Bank, Angola spent 8.52% of its government expenditure and 3.48% of its GDP on education provision in 2010.
Total Expenditure on Education as a Percentage of Government Spending and GDP

  • % of GDP
  • % of gov. expenditure

Source: World Bank

Additional Background

From Youth Assessment in Angola (2006):

As a result of the 27-year conflict, almost two generations of youth in Angola have missed important opportunities that prepare them to enter successfully into adulthood. The war caused long-term disruptions to the social systems and infrastructure that typically support youth. Moreover, it produced a context of insecurity that caused youth to avoid combat through migration or pulled them into it as soldiers or as servants for adult combatants [...]

[T]he conditions affecting the youth cohort continue to affect the generation before them: those now over 24-30 years old. For both generations, the urgent need for education and employment opportunities, to heal from war trauma, and the challenge of HIV/AIDS should serve as strong motivation for all to step forward and take an active role in setting a positive course for Angola [...]

Young people in Huambo [Angola’s second city] expressed frustration that the rebuilding of public buildings is slow; to them, this was evidence that the government doesn‘t care about them. One youth said in a focus group “Our government doesn’t show any kindness towards its children. At school there is not even basic equipment.”