Officials released a report yesterday, analysing the socio-economic and demographic profile of the youth.
It focused on various aspects including employment education and access to housing and other basic services.
Stats SA says the Eastern and Northern Cape showed the largest increase in hunger involving youths.
Statistician general Pali Lehohla says this contributes to findings that youth are the most involved in criminal activity.
“When you look at crime, the youth is more involved in acts of criminality, be property or burglary. And of course when you look at hunger the youth bear the brunt of hunger.”
The reports also illustrates that the proportion of economically active youths declined over the past five years.
