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        Introduction of Bihar Adolescent  Group

Adolescents aged 10–19 years constitute about one-fourth of India’s population and young people aged 10–24 years about one-third of the population. This large cohort of young people represents a great demographic dividend with the potential to contribute to India’s economic growth and development. Alongside the national population, Bihar’s population is going through fundamental demographic changes too. Though, the total birth rate is still a growing concern, the declining trends suggests that over the coming decades, birth rate will continue to drop and the population of young people (10 – 24 years of age) will constitute the largest section of the population. Over the coming decade or so, the working age population (15 – 65 years) is going to rise significantly.

Adolescents (10 – 19 years) in Bihar comprises of 22.47 percentages of its total population (Census 2011). Of the total adolescent population 59.50 percent belongs to the 10-14 years age group and about 40.50 percent are in the 15-19 years age group. Females comprise nearly 46 percent and males 54 percent of the total adolescent population. In the context of Bihar, girls and boys experience adolescence differently. While boys tend to experience greater freedom, girls tend to face extensive limitations on their ability to move freely and to make decisions affecting their education, work, marriage and social relationship. One reason for restriction on freedom of movement for girls is the onset of menarche.