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Adolescents in India: Key Insights from the Report

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released the report titled “Economic Case for Investment in the Well-being of Adolescents in India,” highlighting the crucial need for targeted interventions to enhance the well-being of adolescents in the country.

Key Highlights

  • Largest Adolescent Population: India has the largest population of adolescents (aged 10-19) in the world, numbering 253 million.
  • Declining Mortality and Fertility Rates:
  • The adolescent mortality rate has decreased by over 50% from 2000 to 2019.
  • The adolescent fertility rate has declined by 83% during the same period.
  • Increased Educational Attainment: The percentage of young people completing secondary school has risen significantly, from 22% in 2005 to over 50% in 2020.
  • Rise in Road Accidents: There has been a 22.7% increase in fatal road accidents involving adolescents under 18 between 2021 and 2022.
  • Economic Impact: Implementing suggested interventions could potentially boost India’s economy by 10.1% of annual GDP.

Issues Faced by Adolescents

  • Health Challenges:
  • High rates of unplanned pregnancies.
  • Malnutrition among adolescents.
  • Rising mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
  • Education and Employment:
  • Stagnant learning outcomes.
  • Increasing unemployment, partly due to the impact of emerging technologies like AI.
  • Child Marriage:
  • Despite a significant decline in girls marrying before 18 (over half from 2006 to 2024), 1 in 3 child brides globally live in India.
  • Violence and Injury:
  • Increasing incidents of road accidents.
  • High prevalence of self-harm and suicide.

Suggested Interventions

To address these challenges, the report recommends the following interventions:

  • Education:
  • Establish schools in underserved areas.
  • Implement improved pedagogy and merit-based scholarships to enhance learning outcomes.
  • Health:
  • Prevent cyberbullying and interpersonal violence.
  • Provide prevention and treatment for common mental disorders to improve adolescent health.
  • Social Norms:
  • Impart life skills and provide financial support to girls.
  • Promote changes in cultural and social norms to combat child marriage.
  • Safety:
  • Develop graduated licensing schemes to reduce injuries among adolescents, particularly in road accidents.

Conclusion

Investing in the well-being of adolescents in India is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity. The recommendations from the report aim to foster a healthier, better-educated, and more resilient generation of young people who can contribute positively to society and the economy.

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