young people pose for picture

In 2024, 90.1% of young people aged between 16 and 29 in the EU considered themselves to be in good or very good health. This is significantly higher than the same share in the total population over 16 years of age (68.4%).

In 2024, the share of young men aged between 16 and 29 years who perceived their health as good or very good was slightly higher than among young women in the same age group, with 91.0% vs 89.2%, respectively. 

Looking at the relationship between self-perceived health and income shows that a higher income is linked to a better perceived health. In the EU, in 2024, 86.7% of young people aged 16-29 with the lowest income (first income quintile) viewed their health as good or very good, compared with 94.0% of those with the highest income (fifth income quintile).

Young people who perceived themselves to be in good or very good health, 2024 (%; 16-29 years old, by sex and income quintile). Bar chart. Link to full dataset below.

Source dataset: hlth_silc_10

This news articles marks International Youth Day, observed every year on 12 August, bringing youth issues to the attention of the international community and celebrating the potential of youth as partners in today’s global society.

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Methodological notes

  • Self-perceived health gives an overall assessment by the respondent of their health in general. It is by definition subjective and is expected to include different dimensions of health such as psychological and physical symptoms.
  • Income quintiles are a way to categorize households based on their income. When we talk about equivalised disposable income, we are looking at a household's total income after taxes and deductions, adjusted for the number of people living there. This adjustment considers the household members' ages to ensure a fair comparison. There are 5 quintiles: 
    • 1st quintile – the lowest 20% of the population by income.
    • 2nd to 4th quintiles – middle groups.
    • 5th quintile – the top 20%, or the wealthiest group.

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