The Youth Development Index is a mechanism for researchers, politicians, and civilized society, including young people, to assess progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for youth formation. This is a procedure that raises the condition of youngsters by enabling people to expand their capabilities and competencies for daily lives and allowing them to contribute to and advantage from a stable political, financially feasible, and lawfully positive environment, ensuring their equal involvement as productive participants in their nations.

The 2020 YDI assesses achievements in 181 nations, comprising 48 of the 54 Commonwealth nations, in six areas of the youth system: healthcare and well-being, school, work and chance, civic and political engagement, equal opportunity, safety, and stability. Since the 2016 edition, the methods and variables used to create the YDI have been modified, and for the first time, measures of Peace and Security, as well as Equality and Inclusion, are being evaluated.