Nearly half of all people are under 25. Over a billion are young people between the ages of 15 and 24, the parents of the next generation. Their decisions about education, sexual relationships, marriage, and childbirth will have an enormous impact on their lives and, in turn, on their communities and nations. Ignoring these issues incurs a high cost in ill health, wasted opportunities and social disruption. More than 14 million adolescents give birth each year, and a large proportion of these pregnancies are unwanted.
Countless girls drop out of school each day because of pregnancy.
Half a million young people acquire a sexually transmitted disease each year. However, some 55 countries have taken policy and programme measures to address the health needs of adolescents. Given the high level of demand, the United Nations Population Fund is intensifying efforts to find acceptable and effective ways to help young people protect their reproductive health and their futures. The event was attended by more than 100 young people from all regions and resulted in numerous recommendations on how to address their sexual and reproductive health needs. About a quarter of the youth who participated in the forum also took part in the 21st Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly.