The Road Ahead for Young People and Family Planning

Today, governments, donors, and public health professionals are paying more attention to the number of young people in the world. Currently, there are 1.8 billion people between the ages of 10 and 24 and almost 90% of them live in less developed countries. Most of these young people do not have access to basic sexual and reproductive health
care and information.

Young people need to have access to information and services that will allow them to take full control of their sexual lives. This includes being knowledgeable about what contraceptive method is right for them, and being able to access it from a pharmacy or clinic. As ministries of health and countries plan out where they currently have gaps in increasing access to family planning, young people’s sexual and reproductive health needs are a crucial area that should be addressed.