15vuotiaat

15vuotiaat, or fifteen-year-olds, is a demographic category used to refer to people who have reached the age of 15. In Finnish, the standard orthography is 15-vuotiaat, with a hyphen, though the unhyphenated form may appear in informal writing. The term is used in statistics, education planning, media, and policy discussions to designate this specific age cohort.

Education-wise, most 15-year-olds in Finland are in the ninth grade of the comprehensive school (peruskoulu), the final year of primary education. They typically study core subjects such as mathematics, languages, and social and natural sciences, and may be preparing for the transition to upper secondary education or vocational training at age 16–17.

Legally, 15 is commonly the minimum age for criminal liability in Finland, subject to the rules of juvenile justice. Minors under 18 are generally protected by child protection and privacy laws, and decisions affecting them emphasize guardianship, education, and welfare rather than punishment. Schools and health services play a central role in supporting 15-year-olds as they mature.

Internationally, 15-year-olds are recognized as an early adolescent group with developing autonomy and decision-making. Policy discussions often address education quality, safe use of digital technologies, health, and rights, with 15-year-olds serving as a key focus for improving outcomes in youth well-being.