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Focus on young people offers an insight into the lives of young people in contemporary UK society. It includes information on their characteristics, experiences, wellbeing and lifestyle looked at from the young person's viewpoint wherever possible. Young people are mainly defined as those aged over 16 and under 25, however in some cases other age breakdowns are used.
The proportion of the UK population aged 16 to 24 rose in the 10 years from 1971 to 1981 but has since fallen steadily. Fewer young people decided to marry between 1998 and 2008, choosing instead to cohabit, live with their parents, or live alone (with or without children). Over the past decade there has been an increase in the number of diagnoses of sexually transmitted infections among young people. The risk of being a victim of murder or manslaughter in 2007/08 was highest for men aged between 16 and 20 years, while young adults are also most at risk of experiencing domestic abuse. In the labour market, young people have historically experienced the highest rates of unemployment compared with other age groups.
A majority of young people in England reported participating in sport or exercise as a free time activity, with young men more likely to have participated than young women. But the most common leisure activities were spending time with friends and family, listening to music and watching television.
List of annual publications
Population of young people projected to fall
More young people choose to cohabit
A level passes continue to rise
Unemployment rates at 29.3% for those aged 16 and 17
Over 6 in 10 diagnosed with Chlamydia are aged 16 to 24
Nearly two-fifths aged 17 to 20 have a driving licence
Young households spend £460 a week
5 million young recent Internet users access the web daily
Young people entering prison on remand down by 5%
3 out of 5 take part in sport or exercise
Further analysis links
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