Comparative Analysis of Youth Policy in Azerbaijan and Turkey at the Contemporary Stage: Governance and Legislation

Out of the 198 countries in the world, 122 implement independent youth policies, taking into account the demographic characteristics of their populations as well as their political, economic, and social contexts. Considered one of the important directions of social policy, youth policy is aimed at facilitating the integration and social adaptation of young people into society, as well as developing their potential to ensure active participation in the country’s socio-economic and cultural life.Azerbaijan and the Republic of Turkey, allied states with long-standing close friendship and strategic cooperation, have developed and consistently implemented their own distinct youth policy strategies as countries where youth constitute a significant and active segment of the population. In both countries, youth policy is regulated within the framework of national legislation and international commitments and is carried out through collaboration with various state institutions, public organizations, and international partners.This article analyzes the youth policies of Azerbaijan and Turkey from a political science perspective, comparatively examining their administrative structures, legal and regulatory frameworks, and institutional mechanisms. It also examines the activities of the main actors in youth policy, namely state institutions and non-governmental youth organizations. The analysis identifies the similarities and differences in the youth policies of the two countries; while some of these features can be regarded as positive experiences, others require improvement. Furthermore, the article highlights areas where both countries can benefit from each other’s successful experiences and emphasizes the importance of further expanding bilateral cooperation in this field.