Hyderabad: In a close look at the aspirations and struggles of Telangana’s youth, the preliminary findings of the seventh round of the Young Lives longitudinal survey, released on Friday, present a mixed picture.While more young people are delaying entry into the workforce in favour of extended education, many still face entrenched structural inequalities, job dissatisfaction, and mental health challenges.The survey ‘Longitudinal Study of Poverty and Inequality,’ conducted by the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), offers critical insight into the transition from education to employment in 2023–24.A growing number of youngsters are entering the labour market at a later age than previous generations, with a majority of 29-year-olds now participating in the workforce, the survey said.However, the nature of this employment remains a concern—long hours, lack of quality jobs, and low job satisfaction dominate their experience. The survey also records a significant shift from agricultural to non-agricultural work in both rural and urban areas, a trend seen among both men and women.Women ahead, gaps persistOn the other hand, Telangana outperforms the national average in female labour force participation among youth aged 15–29, with 44.7% in 2021–22 compared to 32.8% nationally.However, gender gaps in employment persist, and early-life disadvantages—such as child marriage, early motherhood, caste/tribe identity, and family income levels—remain strong predictors of outcomes in education and employment.These factors impact not only access to quality jobs but also reading comprehension, university enrolment, and general well-being.Malnutrition, mental healthThe survey report also highlights the dual burden of malnutrition among youth. While many struggle with being underweight, others face overweight or obesity, often linked to lifestyle changes and diet.This burden is compounded by high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Being underweight was notably more prevalent among those from disadvantaged castes or rural areas, and children of mothers with lower education levels.The findings underline the urgent need for public policy that tackles the deep-rooted inequalities beginning in childhood and extending into adult life. Recommendations include greater food diversity, regulation of unhealthy food consumption, improved access to nutritious diets, and public health campaigns encouraging active lifestyles.Education expansionOn the brighter side, efforts to universalise school education have shown tangible progress in Telangana. The state has seen a notable rise in higher secondary school completion and university enrolment, particularly among women and youth from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.These gains, observed over the past seven years, mark a significant step towards bridging educational inequalities and expanding opportunities for disadvantaged communities, the report says.