Mongolia Map

Mongolia

Mongolia is a nation of young people. Nearly 35 per cent of the population is under the age of 18 and a quarter of the population is between 10 and 19 years old.

The country occupies a unique place among developing nations because of its many strengths. It has a small population of less than two and a half million in a country that is the size of France. Literacy rates are high and it is one of the few nations where there is gender equality among adolescents. It stands out as an example to the rest of the developing world on how to provide a safe and supportive environment for adolescents – boys and girls alike. However, other issues, such as poor physical school conditions, poor access to health care, and inadequate recreational activities for youth outside schools, remain to be addressed.

To better understand the situation of youth, UN agencies, the Mongolian Youth Development Centre and governmental and non-governmental organizations jointly conducted the Mongolian Adolescents Needs Assessment Survey during the period 1999-2000. Adolescents participated at every stage.

The survey found that nearly 78 per cent of adolescents felt their environment was not conducive to their active participation in society, and that they lacked open communication with their parents. In addition, many young people do not have access to health information and health care services. A third of them felt intimidated by classmates and said that their teachers were authoritarian. The survey also pointed out the need for out-of-school and after-school activities with other young people.

An integrated, sustainable, multisectoral flagship initiative based on the survey findings was designed to respond to the needs identified in health, education, participation and communication. Entitled Improving the Outlook of Mongolian Adolescent Girls and Boys, the project was launched by UNICEF, UNFPA, UNESCO and WHO, in collaboration with the Government of Mongolia, the Scouts Association of Mongolia and – most importantly – adolescent girls and boys themselves.

More information and activities on this project >>