There are 7.4 million 10-19 year-olds currently living in the UK, 12% of the total population

They live in 4.8 million households, 59% with married parents, 8% with cohabiting parents and 25% with lone parents

The Young People Count report contains a brief guide to the different data sources that are available on the problems that young people face in the United Kingdom. Drawn from official figures, such as the Office of National Statistics, and independent research by community and voluntary organisations, it covers the subjects of health, youth employment, housing, crime, education, participation, poverty, and general population data. 

What is interesting, and the source of possible difficulties in youth policy, is the overlap and interaction between each of these problems. The interlinked nature of these topics like housing, education and poverty make the situation incredibly complex. Yet, the only thing that is clear is the difficulties and inequality young people still face.

On the topics of employment, housing, poverty and crime – young people are affected greater than the rest of the population. Facing discrimination, worse employment opportunities and more crime, young people have been the worst impacted by the recession. This, coupled with a lack of affordable housing, makes one of the hardest situations facing the next generation to face in decades.

Download the data report Young People Count.