No.51 At-Risk Youth as a Source of Peacebuilding: Findings from a Field Survey in Liberia

At-risk youth, who are disconnected and marginalized from others, are considered a threat to national security as well as human security in Liberia. Using data from a field survey conducted in March 2025, this study examines at-risk youth in Liberia. First, we characterize at-risk youth based on four factors: sleeping places, drinking habits, chronic infectious diseases, and affiliation with in-groups such as gangs or ghetto groups. Then, we examine how at-risk youth are distributed across the country. These youth are present in both urban and rural areas, regardless of gender. This study also shows that being at risk is associated with education level and unemployment status. At-risk youth tend to alienate themselves from their families, and they are less likely to trust others. However, they are likely to participate in community meetings, just as youth who are not at risk do. Their active participation in community meetings could mitigate their vulnerability and reduce the risk of conflict. Furthermore, this study identifies that a significant portion of the non-youth respondents and the majority of the ex-combatants remain in an at-risk state. These results demonstrate that vulnerable social status is prevalent in Liberian society even two decades after the end of the civil wars, extending beyond the youth generation. Building on the recent discussion of youth in the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda, this study contributes to the exploration of the positive role of at-risk youth in rebuilding interpersonal and intergroup relationships that foster confidence in communities.

Keywords: At-risk youth, Liberia, Trust