U.S. TEEN BIRTH RATES DOWN 73% SINCE 1991

(Washington, D.C.) — The U.S. teen birth rate among females age 15-19 has declined 73% from its peak in 1991. The decline marks another record low, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

In part, the historic declines in teen birth rates may be attributed to the combination of improved access to and consistent use of birth control. Research from the Guttmacher Institute supports that increased access to and consistent use of contraception have helped to contribute to the historic declines in birth rates.

• The birth rate for females age 15–19 is down 4% from 2018. 
• Since 2009, the teen birth rate has fallen to a new low each year. 
• The rate for females age 15-19 has declined 60% since 2007.
• The number of births to teenagers age 15–19 was 171,674 in 2019, down 5% from 2018 (179,871).

“We work to improve access to the full range of contraceptive methods and information so all people – regardless of who they are or their economic status can have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child,” said Dr. Gillian Sealy, Interim Chief of Staff for Power to Decide. “We know that such access is also critical for young people to achieve their reproductive and life goals. We are delighted to see the continued declines in birth rates among young people, but the disparities clearly indicate our work continues to be necessary.”

Despite the progress, disparities remain. Per the report, declines in birth rates for teens (age 15–19) in 2019 by racial/ethnic group include:

• For non-Hispanic white, 6%.
• For Hispanic, 5%.
• For non-Hispanic black, 2%. 

More than 19 million U.S. women in need publicly funded contraception live in contraceptive deserts or counties without reasonable access to the full range of contraceptive methods.

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant or have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.