With the right investments in education, skills and access to health, nutrition and family planning services, India’s youth population can boost national progress.
**Global Population & Youth Empowerment **
- Global Population: >8 billion (2023).
- ICPD 1994 Principle: Right to reproductive health choices free from coercion/discrimination.
- UN World Population Day (11th june)2025 Theme: "Empowering youth to create families in a fair, hopeful world."
- India’s Youth (UNICEF):
- 371 million aged 15-29 (world’s largest youth cohort).
- Economic potential: Investments could add $1 trillion to GDP by 2030.
II. Challenges in India (NFHS-5, UNFPA 2025 Report)
- Reproductive Health:
- 36% women face unintended pregnancies; 30% have unmet reproductive goals.
- Teenage childbearing: 7% nationally (higher in some states).
- Gender Inequality:
- Child marriage: Down to 23.3% (2021) from 46% (2006), but still prevalent.
- Limited decision-making autonomy for women (e.g., contraception use).
- Access Gaps: Education, healthcare, and skills training.
III. Government Initiatives & Best Practices
| Program | State | Key Impact | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Nationwide | Improved sex ratio, education access | Girl child welfare |
| Project Udaan | Rajasthan | Prevented 30k child marriages, 15k teen pregnancies | Education scholarships |
| Advika | Odisha | 11,000 villages declared child marriage-free | Community empowerment |
| Project Manzil | Rajasthan | Employed 16,000 young women | Skill development |
| National Adolescent Health Programme | Pan-India | Holistic health services | Youth health |
IV. Solutions Framework (UNFPA Recommendations)
- RIGHTS Approach (Mnemonic):
- Reproductive healthcare access
- Investment in education & skills
- Gender equality promotion
- Holistic mental health support
- Targeted economic empowerment
- Safe abortion/maternal care