| Q: |
What is the teen birth rate and how has it changed in recent years? |
| A: |
In 2010, the birth rate for women ages 15–17 was 20 births for every 1,000 females in that age group, 55% below the 1970 rate. |
Births per 1,000 females in age group, 1970-2010
| Year |
10-14 |
15-17 |
18-19 |
| 1970 |
1.2 |
38.8 |
114.7 |
| 1971 |
1.1 |
38.2 |
105.3 |
| 1972 |
1.2 |
39.0 |
96.9 |
| 1973 |
1.2 |
38.5 |
91.2 |
| 1974 |
1.2 |
37.3 |
88.7 |
| 1975 |
1.3 |
36.1 |
85.0 |
| 1976 |
1.2 |
34.1 |
80.5 |
| 1977 |
1.2 |
33.9 |
80.9 |
| 1978 |
1.2 |
32.2 |
79.8 |
| 1979 |
1.2 |
32.3 |
81.3 |
| 1980 |
1.1 |
32.5 |
82.1 |
| 1981 |
1.1 |
32.0 |
80.0 |
| 1982 |
1.1 |
32.3 |
79.4 |
| 1983 |
1.1 |
31.8 |
77.4 |
| 1984 |
1.2 |
31.0 |
77.4 |
| 1985 |
1.2 |
31.0 |
79.6 |
| 1986 |
1.3 |
30.5 |
79.6 |
| 1987 |
1.3 |
31.7 |
78.5 |
| 1988 |
1.3 |
33.6 |
79.9 |
| 1989 |
1.4 |
36.4 |
84.2 |
| 1990 |
1.4 |
37.5 |
88.6 |
| 1991 |
1.4 |
38.6 |
94.0 |
| 1992 |
1.4 |
37.6 |
93.6 |
| 1993 |
1.4 |
37.5 |
91.1 |
| 1994 |
1.4 |
37.2 |
90.2 |
| 1995 |
1.3 |
35.5 |
87.7 |
| 1996 |
1.2 |
33.3 |
84.7 |
| 1997 |
1.1 |
31.4 |
82.1 |
| 1998 |
1.0 |
29.9 |
80.9 |
| 1999 |
0.9 |
28.2 |
79.1 |
| 2000 |
0.9 |
26.9 |
78.1 |
| 2001 |
0.8 |
24.5 |
75.5 |
| 2002 |
0.7 |
23.1 |
72.2 |
| 2003 |
0.6 |
22.2 |
69.6 |
| 2004 |
0.6 |
21.8 |
68.7 |
| 2005 |
0.6 |
21.1 |
68.4 |
| 2006 |
0.6 |
21.6 |
71.2 |
| 2007 |
0.6 |
21.7 |
71.7 |
| 2008 |
0.6 |
21.1 |
68.2 |
| 2009 |
0.5 |
19.6 |
64.0 |
| 2010 |
0.4 |
17.3 |
58.2 |
[ Graph version ]
[ Excel file ]
- The birth rate for older juvenile females (ages 15–17) fell 21% between 1970 and 1986 and then increased over the next 5 years back to its 1970 level.
- The birth rate for young adult females (ages 18 and 19) dropped even more than the rate for older juveniles between 1970 and 1986, falling 31%. Although the rate for young adults also increased through 1991, this increase was well below the 1970 level.
- Since 1991, rates declined for older juvenile females (down 55%) and young adult females (38%). As a result, the birth rate in 2010 for both age groups was well below the their rates in 1970.
- The 2010 birth rate for 15–17-year-olds was about one-third the rate for 18–19-year-olds.
- In 2010, females ages 15–17 accounted for 30% of all births to teen mothers under the age of 20.
Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/population/qa01301.asp?qaDate=2010.
Released on December 17, 2012. Data Source: Martin, J.A., Hamilton, B.E., Ventura, S.J., et al. Births: Final Data for 2010. National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 61, No. 01.
[ PDF]. Hyattsville, Maryland: National Center for Health Statistics, 2012.
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