This publication describes and analyzes the status of China’s adolescent population, based on data from the 2015 1% National Population Sample Survey and previous censuses and inter-census surveys. Adolescence, which takes places during the ages of 10 to 19 years, marks the beginning of many transitions – from childhood to adulthood, from school to the workplace and into society. Adolescents experience monumental changes in every aspect of their lives – physically, cognitively, emotionally and socially. Understanding the population status of adolescents can assist governments, communities and families to better respond to the specific characteristics and needs of adolescents by providing appropriate policies, services and support to enable them to reach their full potential and prepare for the future.