According to the 2001 census, adolescents constitute about 22 per cent of the total population and this trend is still growing in India Within the adolescent population, the males outnumber the female The female adolescents constitute 47 per cent while male adolescent constitute 53 percent. The mean age at marriage is 18 years for female and 22.6 years for males.
The phenomenon of gender differentials in mortality rates during adolescence is also a matter of concern. Mortality rates among female are higher as compared to those among males. The pervasive gender discrimination, lower nutritional status, early marriage, complication during adolescent pregnancy and child birth contribute to high rates of female mortality.
1. Educational Profile
Illiteracy, particularly in the female adolescents continues to be a major challenge. Twenty five per cent of the 15-19 years age group in rural areas and 10 per cent in urban areas are illiterate. The country had achieved over 90 per cent Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) at primary stage in 2002 and 60 per cent in upper primary stage.
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The dropout rates at all the school stages have been declining. But gender disparities persist, as girls account for less than 50 per cent enrollment at all stages of schooling. Rural girls are most disadvantaged. Economic compulsions force adolescents to participate in the work force, resulting in high drop out rates at secondary and senior- secondary school level.
2. Health Profile
Malnutrition among adolescents in India is another matter of great concern. More than 70 per cent girls in the age group of 10-19 years suffer from severe or moderate anemia. Adolescent mothers are at higher risk of miscarriages, maternal mortality, and giving birth to underweight babies.
AIDS is the most critical concern is view of the high vulnerability of adolescents to HIV infection. Over 35 per cent of all reported AIDS cases occur among young people in the age group of 15-29 years. The prevalence rate of HIV infection among males is 0.34 per cent and among females 0.71 per cent (UNFPA, 2003)
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3. Behavioural Profile
Drug abuse is fast emerging as a problem in adolescents. In India, nearly 24 per cent of the drug users are in the age of 12- 18 years. Incidence of vagrancy: delinquency, alcoholism, drug addiction, truancy and crimes amongst adolescents . have also been sharply increasing. Most of the rape victims are in the age group of 14-18 years.
The enhancement of the gap between puberty and age at marriage, peer pressure, and increasing mobility make adolescents vulnerable to premarital and unprotected-sex leading to AIDS and other sex-related diseases.