Teen birth rates have declined sharply in the last two decades according to a study by National Vital Statistics System, an inter-governmental system of sharing data. The findings reveal that the overall birth rate for 15- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. declined 71% between 2000 and 2022, from 47.7 to 13.6 births per 1,000 teenagers
The study shows that in 2000 there were 475,104 births to teenagers while in 2022 there were 145,313 births, a 69% decline. During the same time period, the female teen population increased 7%.
One of the most glaring discoveries was the decline in first births for Hispanic/Latina teens which decreased 73% since 2000, year in which the demographic ranked highest. Second birth rates for Latinas also saw a huge decrease of 85% and so did overall Latina teen births which declined 56% from 131,009 in 2000 to 57,256 in 2022.
These stats are especially notable considering the Hispanic female teen population increased by 79% during this period, while the White and American Indian and Alaska Native teen populations declined and the Black teen population decreased by 2%.
The study also provides insights into some of the possible reasons behind the overall decline in teen birth rates:
This decline has been attributed to both older age at first sex, less sexual activity among sexually experienced teen females, and greater use of effective contraception among sexually active teenagers. Most births to teenagers are first births, but some teenagers go on to have additional births while still in their teen years.
The study also provides reminders about the consequences of teen pregnancies, stating that "research has shown that a second child to support and care for makes it more difficult for teen mothers to attend high school or college and secure adequate employment" and that "having a second child further increases their and their children's risk of poverty and is associated with a higher likelihood of adverse outcomes for the children of teen mothers."
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