This investment must be accompanied by policies that respond to the diversity of young people in the region. Failing to invest in youth can trigger substantial costs, including poor labour market outcomes, social discontent, and crime and violence, as well as poor participation in political and civil society. Public policies must ensure basic conditions and securities to underpin the development of youth capacities and potential. Socio-economic classes are defined using the World Bank classification: “Extreme poor” = youth belonging to households with a daily per capita income lower than USD 2.50. “