World Population Day 2025 and India's Youth | 12 Jul 2025

For Prelims: World Population Day, Demographic Dividend, National Youth Policy 2014, Startup India, National Service Scheme (NSS), Unemployment, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.                   

For Mains: Opportunities and challenges related to the youth population in India, Steps needed to empower them. 

Source: TH   

Why in News? 

World Population Day, observed on 11th July, was established by the UN in 1989 to raise awareness about population issues and reproductive health rights. 

  • The theme for World Population Day 2025 is “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” which focuses on empowering youth to make informed choices about sexual and reproductive health. 

What is the Status of Youth in India? 

  • Youth Demographic Profile: According to UNICEF, India has the world’s largest youth population, with 371 million people in the 15 to 29 age group. 
    • As per the Technical Group on Population Projections (2021), youth (15–29 years) accounted for 27.2% of the population in 2021, but are projected to decline to 22.7% by 2036. 
  • Demographic Significance: A large youth population enhances workforce participation and reduces dependency ratios, creating a demographic dividend for growth. 
  • Policy & Governance: Department of Youth Affairs, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, is the nodal agency for youth-related policies and programs. 
    • Its twin objectives are personality development and nation-building. 
  • Evolution of Youth Policy:  
    • National Youth Policy, 1988: It was India’s first structured youth policy, stressing their role in national development and focusing on personality and skill development. 
    • National Youth Policy 2003: The National Youth Policy 2003, replacing the 1988 policy, defined youth as 13–35 years and aimed to promote patriotism, social justice, and national integration. 
    • National Youth Policy 2014: National Youth Policy 2014 replaced the 2003 policy, defines youth as 15–29 years, and envisions empowering them to realize their full potential and enable India to excel on the global stage. It outlined 5 key objectives and 11 priority areas. National_Youth_Policy_2014 
    • National Youth Policy 2024: The Government has updated the National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 and released a draft for NYP 2024, outlining a 10-year vision for youth development aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key highlights are: 
      • Roadmap to achieve youth development goals by 2030. 
      • Alignment with NEP 2020 to enhance career and life skills. 
      • Promotion of leadership, volunteering, and technology-driven empowerment. 
      • Focus on mental and reproductive health, sports, and fitness. 
      • Commitment to safety, justice, and support for marginalized youth. 

What Opportunities Does India's Youth Population Present? 

  • Demographic Dividend Advantage: A youth-dominated population leads to a lower dependency ratio and more economically active citizens, which can boost GDP growth and per capita income. 
    • According to the World Bank and NITI Aayog, tapping this potential could add up to USD 1 trillion to India’s GDP by 2030. 
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Driven by young entrepreneurs, India’s startup ecosystem has flourished, with the Startup India initiative playing a key role in promoting a youth-led culture of innovation. 
  • Global Workforce Advantage: India’s youth workforce can address global talent shortages in sectors like tech, healthcare, and engineering, while competitive labor costs position the country as a prime hub for manufacturing and services. 
    • E.g., Facing an ageing population, Germany and Japan are turning to India to fill its labour gap with skilled workers. 
  • Social & Cultural Influence: Indian youth are challenging stereotypes, advancing gender equality, and leading social change, while also expanding India’s soft power globally through films, music, and digital content. 
    • E.g., Youth-led movements like Pinjra Tod (Break the Cage) fight for women’s rights and freedom. 
  • Strengthening Democracy: Engaging youth through initiatives like the National Service Scheme (NSS) fosters civic awareness, leadership, and strengthens democratic accountability. 
    • E..g, Through Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Prime Minister mobilized youth as key drivers of cleanliness, behavioural change, and community leadership. 

What are the Key Challenges Faced by Youth in India? 

  • Sexual & Reproductive Health Issues: India faces a high rate of unintended pregnancies (36%) and unmet reproductive goals (30%), with 23% experiencing both. 
    • Though child marriage has declined, it still exists at 23.3% nationally (NFHS-5). 
  • Gender Inequality: Patriarchal norms limit young women's autonomy in education, employment, and decision-making, with many lacking access to gender-sensitive workplaces, skills training, and financial independence. 
  • Mental Health Crisis: Youth are facing a mental health crisis marked by increasing stress, anxiety, and depression, along with a lack of accessible support and persistent stigma. 
    • In 2020-22, India recorded over 60,700 deaths due to suicide in the 15–29 age group, the highest in the world. 
  • Employment Crisis: A skill mismatch between education and job market needs has led to rising unemployment among educated youth, while many are forced into unstable gig economy jobs with limited benefits 
  • Substance Abuse: Youth are increasingly vulnerable to drug addiction, driven by peer pressure and stress, with a lack of adequate rehabilitation facilities worsening the issue. 

What Steps Should Be Taken to Empower Youth in India? 

  • Education Revolution: Promote critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving by overhauling rote learning under the National Education Policy 2020, ensure digital literacy, and integrate vocational training into school curricula. 
  • Job-Linked Skill Development: Encourage apprenticeship opportunities in large companies under PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), launch upskilling missions in emerging sectors, and promote youth entrepreneurship through financial support. 
  • Healthcare Access: Establish accessible mental health support, ensure nutrition security through fortified meals, and enhance reproductive health services with free contraceptives in rural areas. 
  • Sports & Arts Infrastructure: Expand sports and arts infrastructure by strengthening rural training facilities, offering financial support to young artists, and promoting international cultural exchange programs for talented youth. 
  • Digital Empowerment: Bridge the digital divide by expanding internet access, building youth digital skills, and strengthening Digital India for inclusive digital growth. 

Conclusion 

India’s youth, the world’s largest, offer a transformative demographic dividend. To harness this potential, India must address challenges like unemployment, mental health, and gender gaps while boosting education, skills, and innovation. Strategic policies and inclusive growth can empower youth to drive India’s global rise, ensuring sustainable development and equitable progress. 

Drishti Mains Question:

Discuss the challenges faced by India’s youth in realizing their full potential. Suggest measures to convert these challenges into opportunities.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)   

Prelims 

Q. Disguised unemployment generally means (2013)

(a) large number of people remain unemployed  

(b) alternative employment is not available  

(c) marginal productivity of labour is zero  

(d) productivity of workers is low  

Ans: (c) 


Mains

Q. Most of the unemployment in India is structural in nature. Examine the methodology adopted to compute unemployment in the country and suggest improvements. (2023)

Q. The nature of economic growth in India in recent times is often described as jobless growth. Do you agree with this view? Give arguments in favor of your answer. (2015)