Adolescence is a formative period during which children grow into their rightful place as full citizens and agents of change in their own lives and the lives of their societies. This publication provides an overview of the situation of adolescents, including of their vulnerabilities in critical areas. It makes a compelling case for increased efforts in advocacy, programming and policy, and for investment, to ensure the rights of adolescents and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Following a foreword by Anthony Lake, the UNICEF Executive Director, this document contains the following sections: (1) Progress for adolescents; (2) Socio-demographic profile of adolescents--Population trends and child marriage; (3) Education and work--Related to MDG 1, MDG 2, and MDG 3; (4) Adolescent mortality, morbidity and health-related behaviours--Related to MDG 4; (5) Adolescent sexual behaviour, childbearing and maternal health, and HIV--Related to MDG 5 and MDG 6; (6) Violence--Related to the Millennium Declaration; and (7) The way forward. Contains the following: (1) an overview of the statistical table; (2) a statistical table on key statistics on adolescents; and (3) a regional classification of the countries and territories from which regional averages were calculated.