Consider the following statements with respect to the adolescent popul

Consider the following statements with respect to the adolescent population (age group of 10 to 19 years) of India, according to the 2011 Census:

  • Adolescent population comprises half the population of the country.
  • The group is regarded as youthful population with high potential.
  • In this group there are greater number of females than males.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only
2 only
1 and 2
2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
The correct answer is 2 only.
Let’s analyze each statement based on Census 2011 data:
1. Adolescent population comprises half the population of the country: According to the 2011 Census, the population in the age group 10-19 years was approximately 243 million out of a total population of 1210 million. This is roughly 20%, not half (50%). Statement 1 is incorrect.
2. The group is regarded as youthful population with high potential: The age group 10-19 years is considered part of the young population, and its potential contribution to the future workforce and development is widely recognized. This is a generally accepted demographic perspective. Statement 2 is correct.
3. In this group there are greater number of females than males: The child sex ratio (0-6 years) was adverse, and the sex ratio (females per 1000 males) for older age groups also showed fewer females than males at the national level in 2011. For the 10-19 age group, the sex ratio was significantly below 1000, indicating fewer females than males. Statement 3 is incorrect.
The high proportion of young people in India is often referred to as a demographic dividend, representing a potential asset for economic growth if this population is educated and skilled. However, challenges related to education, health, and employment for adolescents are also significant.