A report — concerning the youngsters of India — released on Sunday revealed that, every third person in urban India is a youth. The findings further said, “In less than a decade from now, India, with a median age of 29 years will be the youngest nation in the world.
A report — concerning the youngsters of India — released on Sunday revealed that, every third person in urban India is a youth. The findings further said, “In less than a decade from now, India, with a median age of 29 years will be the youngest nation in the world. There are large numbers of working population between the ages of 15-59 that will be generating income sufficient to share the state’s burden in supporting those that cannot yet do so.” The report titled, “The State of the Urban Youth India 2013: Employment, Livelihoods, Skills” was prepared in collaboration by UN-Habitat and Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation (NSF). The report was developed by IRIS Knowledge Foundation. It delves on the current status of youth in urban India through a focus on health, politics, governance, law, jobs, education, gender, migration, labour and other areas of opportunities in the country. Though the study was conducted pan India, it studied three cities exclusively, namely, Mumbai, Vadodara and Latur in the Marathwada region. Seventy per cent of youth believe that Mumbai provides them with opportunities to upgrade their skills. However, the notion of safety, easily associated with Mumbai, is on a decline revealed the study, “Most of the youth felt that Mumbai is only somewhat safe and not entirely so. However, a majority (more than 60 per cent) attested to the safety of their work environments.” Leni Chaudhuri, programme head, NSF said, “Youth in India have launched their movement for social change. Through the India Youth Fund, Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is acting as a catalyst to ignite their potential so that the country can experience the youth impact.” Another key finding showed that 50 per cent of youth feel that Mumbai has not put in place any social support systems for youth. This was evident in more than 80 per cent of educated youth.
