CARICOM CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (CCDP)

National Census Report 2001, St. Vincent and the GrenadinesCHAPTER 9Youth9.1 IntroductionYouths are faced with some of the most challenging issues compared to other subgroups of thepopulation. The issues are varied and include education, employment, sexual relationships andsexually transmitted infections, teenage pregnancy, parenting, drug use, peer pressure, andfamily support. The youth aged (15-24) have to adequately address these personal issues, whichcan occur concurrently, for them to become responsible adults. This Chapter presents a situationof the youths with respect to their family structure, education, and employment. Information onother aspects of youth life is also presented.9.2 YouthsIn 2001, there were 21 001 youths (15 to 24 years) in the population, with 10 655 or 50.74 percent males and 10 346 or 49.26 per cent females, (Table 9.1). The younger youths in the 15 to 19age group accounted for 53.75 per cent of all youths, while those in the 20 to 24 age groupaccounted for the remaining 46.25 per cent.Table 9.1: Total Youth by Age Group and Sex, 2001Age Group Total % Male % Female %15-19 11 289 100.00 5 678 50.30 5 611 49.7020-24 9 712 100.00 4 977 51.25 4 735 48.75Total 21 001 100.00 10 655 50.74 10 346 49.269.3 Sex and Age of Head of Household with YouthsThere was no significant difference in the percentage of youths that lived with a male head ofhousehold compared to those that lived with a female head of household, 50.09 per cent and112