Teen Pregnancy in the United States

Author: Linda Lowen

Thousands of teenage girls and their families will face the challenge of an unplanned pregnancy this year. Some will decide to become teen mothers and raise a child. Others may opt for adoption. And some will choose abortion. What are the facts about teen pregnancy in the United States?

• Top 10 Teen Pregnancy Facts :

1. Three-quarters of a million teens between 15 and 19 become pregnant each year.

2. Very few teens who become mothers plan on doing so.

   Out of all teen pregnancies, 82% are unintended. Teen pregnancy accounts for 20% of all unplanned pregnancies annually.

3. Two-thirds of teen pregnancies occur among teens 18-19 years old.

4. Teen mothers account for 11% of all births in the US.

5. Out of all teen pregnancies, 57% end in birth.

   Another 14% end in miscarriage.

6. Nearly a third of pregnant teenagers choose abortion.

   Out of all teenage pregnancies, 29% are terminated by abortion.

7. Black teens have the highest teen pregnancy rate.

   For young women age 15-19, black teens are most likely to become pregnant (134 per 1,000 women). Slightly lower rates occur among Hispanics (131 per 1,000) followed by non-Hispanic whites (48 per 1,000).

8. Teens who become pregnant are less likely to attend college.

   Although teenage mothers today are more likely to finish high school or earn their GEDs than in the past, pregnant teens are less likely to attend college than teens who do not become pregnant.

9. US teen pregnancy rates are higher than those of other developed countries.

   US rates are twice as high as in England and Wales or Canada, and eight times as high as in the Netherlands or Japan.

10. Teen pregnancy rates declined between 1991 and 2005 but are on the rise again.

    The teen pregnancy rate reached an all-time high in 1990 with an estimated 116.9 per thousand and an all-time high birth rate of 61.8 births per thousand in 1991. By 2002, the pregnancy rate had dropped to 75.4 per thousand - a decline of 36%. However, a December 2007 report by the Centers for Disease Control shows a 3% increase in teenage pregnancy from 2005 to 2006. One out of every ten births in the U.S. involves a teen mother. Find out other facts you should know about teen pregnancy.