The largest generation of adolescents in history - 1.2 billion - is preparing to enter adulthood, according to The State of World Population 2003 report, which says that nearly half of all people are under the age of 25 - the largest youth generation in history.

The report examines the challenges and risks faced by this generation that impact directly on their physical, emotional and mental well-being.

It says millions of adolescents and young people are faced with the prospects of early marriage and childbearing, incomplete education, and the threat of HIV/AIDS. Half of all new HIV infections occur in people aged 15 to 24.

Increasing the knowledge, opportunities, choices and participation of young people will enable them to lead healthy and productive lives so that they can contribute fully to their communities and to a more stable and prosperous world.

Today's adolescents and young people have diverse experiences given the different political, economic, social and cultural realities they face in their communities.

The report is prepared by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which is the world's largest international source of funding for population and reproductive health programmes.

EXTERNAL LINK: UNFPA