The U.S. teen birth rate (births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19) has steadily declined since 1991. Teen birth rates dropped from 17.4 per 1,000 females in 2018 to 16.7 per 1,000 females in 2019, marking a new record low and a 4% decrease from the previous year. This decline was also observed in different age groups: birth rates for females aged 15 to 17 decreased by 7%, while those aged 18 to 19 dropped by 4%. While the exact reasons for this decline are not entirely clear, experts suggest that an increase in teens abstaining from sexual activity and more widespread use of birth control among sexually active teens are contributing factors.
Despite this progress, the teen birth rate in the U.S. remains higher than that of other Western industrialized nations. Additionally, racial and ethnic disparities continue to affect birth rates. For example, in 2019, the birth rates for Hispanic teens (25.3 per 1,000) and non-Hispanic Black teens (25.8 per 1,000) were more than double the rate for non-Hispanic White teens (11.4 per 1,000). The highest teen birth rate was among non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native teens (29.2 per 1,000), which is concerning.
Disparities in Teen Birth Rates
From 2018 to 2019, teen birth rates decreased across several racial and ethnic groups:
5.2% for Hispanic females
5.8% for non-Hispanic White females
1.9% of non-Hispanic Black females
However, rates for non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Asian, and non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander teens remained unchanged. Social and economic factors play a significant role in these disparities. For instance, teens living in foster care are more than twice as likely to become pregnant compared to their peers who are not in foster care. Factors such as low family income and limited access to education contribute to these higher birth rates.
Geographic disparities are also evident in teen birth rates, with some counties showing high rates despite the overall national trend of decline. The CDC continues to use data to target resources and interventions to areas with the greatest need, particularly those facing significant health disparities.
The Importance of Prevention
Teen pregnancy is associated with significant social and economic costs. It contributes to high school dropout rates, with only about 50% of teen mothers earning a high school diploma by age 22, compared to approximately 90% of non-mothers. Teen mothers also face increased challenges, including lower income, health problems, and a higher likelihood of their children facing similar struggles.
However, the decline in teen births between 1991 and 2015, which fell by 64%, resulted in significant public savings of $4.4 billion in 2015 alone. Evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs, identified by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), are crucial in continuing this positive trend. These programs include:
Sexuality education programs
Youth development programs
Abstinence education programs
Clinic-based programs
In addition to these programs, teens need access to reproductive health services that are youth-friendly and accessible. Parents, trusted adults, and community leaders also play a critical role in helping teens make informed decisions about relationships, sex, and birth control. Addressing the underlying social and economic factors, such as poverty and lack of education, is essential in tackling teen pregnancy and reducing the disparities seen in teen birth rates across racial and geographic groups in the U.S.
By continuing these efforts and expanding prevention programs, we can further reduce teen pregnancy rates and help young people achieve better life outcomes while also lowering the long-term social and economic costs associated with teen birth.
Mary Watson
