It is generally said that youth are the key of social transformation. But no one can clarify exactly who are the youth. Some says those individuals who have courage, hard working capacities, dedication, devotion to bring desirable change in society are regarded as youth whatever be their age. This concept is found to be excellent where youth have forgotten their responsibilities of changing the societies and middle aged has actually fulfilled those responsibilities. Although they may not young in age, their spirit is found to be young, their hard working capacities shows that they are still young. If it is so, then why don't we honor that middle aged as Youth? But there are so many wise minds which have given the definition of youth based on age class. For instance UN Generally Assembly and World Bank have recognized individuals of 15-24 age class as Youth. But in general we may define Youth as the time period of life between childhood (Immature stage) and adulthood (mature stage), the period of dream and courage to fulfill those dreams.

Youth population consists of enormous part of world's total population. Thus, thousands of issues related to youth must be discussed.

Based on the concept of UN general assembly and World Bank following information regarding Youth of South Asia is given.

One fifth of the population in South Asia is between the ages of 15 to 24 and India alone has some 200 millions young people. This is actually the largest number of young people ever to transition into adulthood, both in south Asia and in the world as a whole. Adverse economic, social and political consequences are sure if the issues young people face today are not addressed in time.

Population of Young People (15-24) in South Asia

Unemployment

Youth unemployemt is severe problem in South Asia. Young adults accounts for the half of the total unemployed population in  S. Asia. However they are also 6 times more likely to be jobless than the older workers. The reason for such huge unemployment rates is because of formal and normal job (economic) growth and hasn't kept up with economic growth in most countries. And another most probable reason is a mismatch in skills between the demand in market and those acquired in the school. A lack of job opportunities for young people halts further economic growth in this region because their potentialities are misused in different unproductive works.

Education

In Maldives and Sri lanka, the  youth literacy rate is very good than the remaining countries of S. Asia.  On average, only 62% of young women can  read and write which is very low as compared to  77 % of young man. These datas shows this region with largest gender gap in literacy  in the world.

Litracy rate for 15-24 year olds in S. Asia

High Risk Behaviors

Knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and safe reproductive health practices is poor among youth in this region. Youth are increasingly engaging in high risk behaviors. 40% Youth are having unprotected sex. Half of all abortions are performed in unsafe condition. 50% of HIV infections are believed to be in the 15-24 age class. Tobacco chewing and other use is common among youth of here.

Almost half of the Nepali youth aged 15-24 smoke cigarettes and a survey of school students in India found that 17.5% of 13-15 year old students use tobacco in some form.

Young women

Women themselves are vulnerable to so many problems. However, young women face additional problems. Many are malnourished. More than 80% of adolescent girls suffer from anemia. Social pressure force young women into early marriage and child bearing. Teen mothers are twice as likely as older women to die of pregnancy related causes. Their children are at higher risk of illness and death.

Girls and women are increasingly becoming victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Girls in rural areas are especially vulnerable. They come from poor households and communities where the knowledge about the trade in human is not widespread. Very little is known about the extent of this problem and social and economic costs.

Youth fertility (per 1,000 births)

Source: World Development Indiucators 2005