just the facts data on teen pregnancy, childbearing, sexual activity, and contraceptive use a report...

Just the FactsData on Teen Pregnancy, Childbearing, Sexual Activity, and

Contraceptive Use

A Report from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

Campaign Director

Sarah Brown

Alexine Clement Jackson

National President, YMCA of the USA

Judith E. Jones

Clinical Professor, Columbia University

School of Public Health

Leslie Kantor

Vice President of Education,

Planned Parenthood of New York City, Inc.

Nancy Kassebaum Baker

Former U.S. Senator

Douglas Kirby

Senior Research Scientist,

ETR Associates

John D. Macomber

Principal, JDM Investment Group

Sister Mary Rose McGeady

President and Chief Executive Officer,

Covenant House

Jody Greenstone Miller

Venture Partner, MAVERON, LLC

Chairman

Thomas H. Kean

Former Governor of New Jersey and

President, Drew University

Carol Mendez Cassell

Director, Community Coalition Partnership Program

for the Prevention of Teen Pregnancy, CDC

Linda Chavez

President, Center for Equal Opportunity

Annette Cumming

Executive Director and

Vice President, The Cumming Foundation

William Galston

Professor

School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland

David Gergen

Editor-at-Large, U.S. News & World Report

Whoopi Goldberg

Actress

Katharine Graham

Chairman of the Executive Committee,

The Washington Post Company

David A. Hamburg, M.D.

President Emeritus,

Carnegie Corporation of New York

President

Isabel V. Sawhill

Senior Fellow,

The Brookings Institution

John E. Pepper

Chairman, Board of Directors,

Procter & Gamble Company

Bruce Rosenblum

Executive Vice President, Television,

Warner Brothers

Stephen W. Sanger

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,

General Mills, Inc.

Victoria P. Sant

President, The Summit Foundation

Kurt L. Schmoke

Former Mayor of Baltimore

and Partner, Wilmer, Cutler and Pickering

Judy Woodruff

Prime Anchor and Senior Correspondent, CNN

Andrew Young

Former Ambassador to the U.N. and

Co-Chairman, GoodWorks International

Trustees EmeritiCharlotte Beers

Chairman, J. Walter Thompson

Irving B. Harris

Chairman, The Harris Foundation

Barbara Huberman

Director of Training, Advocates for Youth

Sheila Johnson

Executive Vice President of

Corporate Affairs, BET, Inc.

C. Everett Koop, M.D.

Former U.S. Surgeon General

Judy McGrath

President, MTV

Kristin Moore

President, Child Trends, Inc.

Hugh Price

President, National Urban League, Inc.

Warren B. Rudman

Former U.S. Senator and Partner,

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison

Isabel Stewart

National Executive Director, Girls Inc.

National Campaign Board of Directors

The National Campaign gratefully acknowledges its many funders, particularly the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for its

support of the Campaign’s research program. Special thanks also go to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Robert

Wood Johnson Foundation, the Summit Foundation, and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation for generously supporting

all of the Campaign’s activities, and to the Turner Foundation for its support of National Campaign publications.

© 2000 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. All rights reserved.

ISBN 1-58671-031-1

Acknowledgments

Part I: Teen Pregnancy

Statistics

Definition of Terms

• Pregnancy Rate – number of pregnancies ÷ population, usually multiplied by 1,000. Example – pregnancy rate for teens 15-19, 1996 (from the Alan Guttmacher Institute):

• Proportion of Pregnancies Ending in Birth, Abortion, or Miscarriage – number of births, abortions, or miscarriages ÷ number of pregnancies, multiplied by 100. Example – proportion of pregnancies to teens 15-19, 1996 (from the Alan Guttmacher Institute), that ended in birth:

880,170 pregnancies

9,043,000 girls aged 15-19

= 0.0973 × 1,000 = 97.3 per 1,000

491,577 births

880,170 pregnancies

= 0.56 × 100 = 56 percent

(This statistic can also be calculated using rates instead of numbers.)

Just the Facts (October 2000) –

Data Sources

• The Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), usually through special reports or its journal Family Planning Perspectives;

• The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), usually through its periodical Vital and Health Statistics; and

• The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), CDC, DHHS, usually through CDC’s periodical Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports.

Teen pregnancy data are released by three national groups:


80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

NCHS, 2000

AGI, 1999

NCCDPHP, 2000

NCCDPHP, 1998

The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Special report: U.S. teenage pregnancy statistics with comparative statistics for women aged 20-24. New York: Author. Ventura, S.J., Mosher, W.D., Curtin, S.C., Abma, J.C., & Henshaw, S. (2000). Trends in pregnancies and pregnancy rates by outcome: Estimates for the Untied States, 1976-96. Vital and Health Statistics 21(56). Kaufmann, R.B., Spitz, A.M., Strauss, L.T., Morris, L., Santelli, J.S., Koonin, L.M., & Marks, J.S. (1998). The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995. Pediatrics, 102(5), 1141-7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). Pregnancy rates among adolescents – United States, 1995-1997. MMWR, 49(27), 605-11.

Each of the available sets of recent teen pregnancy rates was calculated using different methods, so data from one report should not be compared with data from another.


Comparison of Four National Teen Pregnancy Rate Sets

(pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Calculation Methods for Four Pregnancy Rate Sets

Estimated based on the NSFG*

Reported by states to CDC, national rates include estimate for states that don’t report, state rates are by occurrence

NCHS birth data

NCCDPHP, 2000

Not includedReported by states to CDC, national rates include estimate for states that don’t report, report does not provide state rates

NCHS birth data

NCCDPHP, 1998

Estimated based on the NSFG*

AGI abortion provider surveys, report does not provide state rates

NCHS birth data

NCHS, 2000

20% of births + 10% of abortions

AGI abortion provider surveys, state rates are by residence

NCHS birth data

AGI, 1999

MiscarriageAbortionBirth

* - not the same method. The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Teenage pregnancy: Overall trends and state-by-state information. New York: Author. The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Special report: U.S. teenage pregnancy statistics with comparative statistics for women aged 20-24. New York: Author. Ventura, S.J., Mosher, W.D., Curtin, S.C., Abma, J.C., & Henshaw, S. (2000). Trends in pregnancies and pregnancy rates by outcome: Estimates for the Untied States, 1976-96. Vital and Health Statistics 21(56). Kaufmann, R.B., Spitz, A.M., Strauss, L.T., Morris, L., Santelli, J.S., Koonin, L.M., & Marks, J.S. (1998). The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995. Pediatrics, 102(5), 1141-7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). Pregnancy rates among adolescents – United States, 1995-1997. MMWR, 49(27), 605-11.


Data Availability

---------------- - Asian- and Native American girls aged 15-19

------------1986-96 - married and unmarried teens aged 15-19

----1990-951995---- - sexually experienced teens aged 15-17 and 18-19

----1990-9519951986-96 - sexually experienced teens aged 15-19

--------1990-96---- - White, Black, and Hispanic girls aged 10-14, 15-17, and

18-19

--------1990-961990-96 - White, Black, and Hispanic girls aged 15-19

1995-97----1976-961973-96 - girls aged 14 and younger

1995-971990-951976-961972-96 - girls aged 15-19, 15-17, and 18-19

National pregnancy rates:

CDC, 2000

CDC, 1998

NCHS, 2000

AGI, 1999

The following table summarizes which data are available from each data set.


Data Availability, Continued

---------------- - Asian- and Native American girls aged 15-19

---------------- - married and unmarried teens aged 15-19

---------------- - sexually experienced teens aged 15-17 and 18-19

---------------- - sexually experienced teens aged 15-19

--------1996---- - White, Black, and Hispanic girls aged 10-14, 15-17, and

18-19

--------1996---- - White, Black, and Hispanic girls aged 15-19

1995-97----1976-961973-96 - girls aged 14 and younger

1995-971990-951976-961972-96 - girls aged 15-19, 15-17, and 18-19

National counts of pregnancies:

CDC, 2000

CDC, 1998

NCHS, 2000

AGI, 1999


Data Availability, Continued

1995-97*

--------1996 - girls aged 15-17 and 18-19

State counts of pregnancies:

------------1996 - girls aged 15-19, 15-17, and 18-19

1995-97*

------------ - White and Black girls aged 15-19

1995-97*

------------ - girls aged 14 and younger

1995-97*

--------1985, 88, 92, 96

- girls aged 15-19

State pregnancy rates:

CDC, 2000

CDC, 1998

NCHS, 2000

AGI, 1999

* - data are not available for every state.


Data from State Health Departments

• Birth data collected by the state health department, which can be slightly different than state birth data reported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;

• Abortion data collected by the state health department, usually for residents only; and

• “Fetal loss” data – late-term miscarriages.

Approximately one-half of state health departments also release pregnancy rates. Generally,

these rates are not comparable to any of the available national rates, nor are they comparable to

each other since each state uses its own calculation method. These state-level teen pregnancy

rates typically include:

Also, many states use age brackets not available in any national pregnancy rate set, such as girls

aged 10-17 or 13-19.


When are teen pregnancy data released?

• Unlike birth rates, pregnancy rates are not released on any set schedule.

• Rates often lag several years behind: for example, AGI released 1992 rates in 1997, and NCHS released 1996 rates in 2000.

• All rates are dependent on CDC abortion data (AGI uses the age distribution of abortions reported to CDC in its calculations). For the past few years, preliminary data on abortions for a given year have been released by CDC two full years after – i.e., preliminary abortion data for 1996 were released in December 1998, and preliminary data for 1997 were released in January 2000. For the previous three years, final data were released in July or August of the following year (i.e., final 1996 data were released in July 1999), but this was not the case in 2000 – as of October 2000, final 1997 abortion data have not yet been released.

• In addition, rate sets that use the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to estimate miscarriages are presumably reliant on current NSFG data. The next NSFG is scheduled to take place in 2002.


Teen Pregnancy Statistics from The Alan Guttmacher Institute

Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1996 (AGI)

Nearly 1 million teen pregnancies occurred in 1996. To put it another way, more than 100 U.S. teens become pregnant each hour. Forty percent of these pregnancies were to girls under age 18, and 60 percent were to girls aged 18-19.

The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Special report: U.S. teenage pregnancy statistics with comparative statistics for women aged 20-24. New York: Author.

under 153%

15-1737%

18-1960%542,640

337,530 24,830

Total: 905,000


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Aged 15-19 (AGI)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls)

117.1

97.3

106.6

111.0

95.1

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

After increasing 23 percent between 1972 and 1990 (including 10 percent between 1987 and 1990), the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 15-19 decreased 17 percent between 1990 and 1996.



117.1

97.395.1

62.4 61.574.3

145.8172.6

152.6

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

Older teens (aged 18-19) have a teen pregnancy rate that is more than twice as high as the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17). While the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 15-19 decreased 17 percent between 1990 and 1996, the rate for older teens declined 12 percent and the rate for younger teens declined 17 percent.


Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Age Subgroups (AGI)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls)


74.4

69.6

61.5

72.5

62.4

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

After increasing 19 percent between 1972 and 1989 (including 7 percent between 1986 and 1989), the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 15-17 decreased 17 percent between 1989 and 1996 to its lowest rate ever recorded.




165.7

174.8

152.6

160.0

145.8

130

135

140

145

150

155

160

165

170

175

180

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996




Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Under 15 (AGI)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls)

13.3

17.6

13.5

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995

After increasing 30 percent between 1973 and 1988, the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 14 or younger decreased 24 percent between 1988 and 1996 to the lowest rate ever recorded.

Note: denominator used is the population of girls aged 14. The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Special report: U.S. teenage pregnancy statistics with comparative statistics for women aged 20-24. New York: Author.


87.3

66.1

224.3178.9175.1

163.4 164.6

0

40

80

120

160

200

240

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Teen pregnancy rates vary substantially among the three largest racial/ethnic subgroups. Between 1990 and 1996, the rate for African-American teens declined 20 percent and the rate for non-Hispanic White teens declined 24 percent. The teen pregnancy rate for Hispanics increased between 1990 and 1994, but then declined 6 percent between 1994 and 1996.

Darroch, J.E., & Singh, S. (1999). Why is teenage pregnancy declining? The roles of abstinence, sexual activity and contraceptive use. Occasional Report 1. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.

Non-Hispanic Black

Hispanic (any race)

Non-Hispanic White


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Racial/Ethnic Subgroups (AGI)

(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

189.5

224.3210.7

97.3106.7

117.1

80

110

140

170

200

230

260

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Teen Pregnancy Rates, Sexually Experienced Teens (AGI)

(number of pregnancies per 1,000 sexually experienced girls aged 15-19)

Sexually Experienced Teens

All Teens

The pregnancy rate for sexually experienced teens is higher than the overall teen pregnancy rate because it is calculated by dividing the same number of pregnancies by the number of teens who are sexually experienced (about one-half of all teen girls). While the teen pregnancy rate for all girls aged 15-19 decreased 17 percent between 1990 and 1996, the rate for sexually experienced teens declined 16 percent.

Just the Facts (December 2000) –

The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (1999). Teenage pregnancy: Overall trends and state-by-state information. New York: Author.

432.5

534.7

454.2

350

380

410

440

470

500

530

560

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Teen Pregnancy Rates, Married Teens (AGI)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 married girls aged 15-19)

Note: Marital status used is status at outcome, not status at conception. Darroch, J.E., & Singh, S. (1999). Why is teenage pregnancy declining? The roles of abstinence, sexual activity and contraceptive use. Occasional Report 1. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.

After increasing 18 percent between 1986 and 1990, the teen pregnancy rate for married girls aged 15-19 (as measured at pregnancy outcome) decreased 19 percent between 1990 and 1996.


86.1

96.4

84.1

50

60

70

80

90

100

1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996Note: Marital status used is status at outcome, not status at conception. Darroch, J.E., & Singh, S. (1999). Why is teenage pregnancy declining? The roles of abstinence, sexual activity and contraceptive use. Occasional Report 1. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.

After increasing 12 percent between 1986 and 1990, the teen pregnancy rate for unmarried girls aged 15-19 (as measured at pregnancy outcome) decreased 12 percent between 1990 and 1996.


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Unmarried Teens (AGI)

(number of pregnancies per 1,000 unmarried girls aged 15-19)

miscarriage14%

birth56%

abortion30%

In 1996, just over one-half of teen pregnancies ended in birth, about one-third ended in abortion, and 14 percent ended in miscarriage.


491,577

124,700

263,890


Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19, 1996 (AGI)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

birth miscarriage abortion

The proportion of pregnancies ending in birth decreased in the 1970s, remained at just below 50 percent through the early- to mid-1980s, then began increasing in the late 1980s so that throughout the 1990s the majority of teen pregnancies ended in birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19 (AGI)

491,577

305,856

185,721

11,148

124,700

77,130

47,570

3,270

263,890

159,650

104,240

10,410

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

15-19

18-19

15-17

under 15


Pregnancies to girls aged 14 or younger are less likely to end in birth than pregnancies to other age groups.



Pregnancy Outcomes, 1996 (AGI)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1973 1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995


The proportion of pregnancies (to girls under age 15) ending in birth decreased in the 1970s, remained at about one-third through the early 1980s, then began increasing in the mid-1980s so that throughout the 1990s over 40 percent of pregnancies to girls under 15 ended in birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Girls under Age 15 (AGI)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996


The proportion of pregnancies (to teens aged 15-17) ending in birth decreased in the 1970s, remained at just below 50 percent through the early- to mid-1980s, then began increasing in the late 1980s so that throughout the 1990s the majority of pregnancies to teens 15-17 ended in birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens Aged 15-17 (AGI)

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996


The proportion of pregnancies (to teens 18-19) ending in birth decreased in the 1970s, remained at about 50 percent through early- to mid-1980s, then began increasing in the late 1980s so that throughout the 1990s the majority of pregnancies to teens 18-19 ended in birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens Aged 18-19 (AGI)

101.8

91.4

37.6

24.2

24.6

9.4

38.6

62.9

19.1

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic Black

Non-Hispanic White


Hispanic teens are most likely, and non-Hispanic Black teens least likely, to have a pregnancy that ends in a birth.

Darroch, J.E., & Singh, S. (1999). Why is teenage pregnancy declining? The roles of abstinence, sexual activity and contraceptive use. Occasional Report 1. New York: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.


Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens Aged 15-19, 1996 (AGI)


108-140 per 1,000

65-85 per 1,000

95-106 per 1,000

86-90 per 1,000

50-62 per 1,000


Teen pregnancy rates vary widely by state, ranging from 50 per 1,000 in North Dakota to 140 per 1,000 in Nevada.


State Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1996 (AGI)(pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Teen pregnancy rates declined in every state but New Jersey between 1992 and 1996; declines ranged from 3.4 percent in Nevada to 31.2 percent in Alaska.


12.2-15.5% decline16.4-31.2% decline

9.4-11.5% decline

No change3.4-9.2% decline


Changes in Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1992-96 (AGI)


International Pregnancy Rates, Teens 15-19 (AGI)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

UnitedStates(1996)

Canada(1995)

Denmark(1995)

England &Wales(1995)

France(1995)

Japan(1995)

Netherlands(1992)

Norway(1996)

Sweden(1996)

Pregnancy Rate Birth RateSingh, S., & Darroch, J.E. (2000). Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing: Levels and trends in developed countries. Family Planning Perspectives 32(1), 14-23. Pregnancy rates calculated as the sum of births, abortions, and estimated miscarriages (20 percent of births plus 10 percent of miscarriages).

The United States has much higher pregnancy and birth rates than other fully industrialized countries. U.S. pregnancy rates are nearly twice as high as rates in Canada and England and seven to eight times as high as rates in Japan and the Netherlands.


Alternate Teen Pregnancy Statistics from the National Center for Health Statistics

(NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services

Nearly 1 million teen pregnancies occurred in 1996. To put it another way, more than 100 U.S. teens become pregnant each hour. Forty-three percent of these pregnancies were to girls under age 18, and 57 percent were to girls aged 18-19.

Ventura, S.J., Mosher, W.D., Curtin, S.C., Abma, J.C., & Henshaw, S. (2000). Trends in pregnancies and pregnancy rates by outcome: Estimates for the United States, 1976-96. Vital and Health Statistics 21(56).

under 153%

15-1740%

18-1957%521,000

372,000 26,000

Total: 919,000


Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1996 (NCHS)

Among teens aged 15-19, more pregnancies occur to non-Hispanic White teens than to any other racial/ethnic group. Non-Hispanic White teens account for almost one-half of all teen pregnancies, non-Hispanic Black teens for just over one-quarter, Hispanic teens for 20 percent, and teens of other origins account for the final six percent of all teen pregnancies.

Other (non-Hispanic)

6%

Hispanic20%

non-Hispanic Black27%

non-Hispanic White47%

416,000

183,00052,000

Total: 919,000

242,000



Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1996 (NCHS)(Girls Aged 15-19)

Among girls under 15, non-Hispanic Black teens account for 46 percent, non-Hispanic White teens for 27 percent, Hispanic teens for 19 percent, and teens of other backgrounds 8 percent of all pregnancies. Among teens aged 15-17 and 18-19, non-Hispanic White teens account for about one-half of all pregnancies, non-Hispanic Black teens for just over one-quarter, Hispanic teens for approximately 20 percent, and teens of other backgrounds 4 to 8 percent of all teen pregnancies.

253,000

163,000

7,000

136,000

106,000

12,000

110,000

74,000

5,0002,000

29,000

22,000

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

18-19

15-17

under 15

non-Hispanic White non-Hispanic Black other (non-Hispanic) Hispanic



Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1996 (NCHS)

110.0

104.7

98.7

116.5

101.4

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996




Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Aged 15-19 (NCHS)

(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls)

116.5

101.4 98.7

67.8

79.8

69.4

167.2

148.9 146.4

50

70

90

110

130

150

170

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996


Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Age Subgroups (NCHS)


69.4

80.3

67.869.873.2

50

55

60

65

70

75

80

85

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

After increasing 16 percent between 1976 and 1990 (including 15 percent between 1986 and 1990), the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 15-17 decreased 16 percent between 1990 and 1996 to its lowest rate ever recorded.





154.8

162.2

153.5

150.8

167.2

148.9

130

135

140

145

150

155

160

165

170

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996






3.6

3.1

2.8

3.2

2.00

2.25

2.50

2.75

3.00

3.25

3.50

3.75

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

After increasing 16 percent between 1982 and 1985 and remaining constant between 1985 and 1986, the teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 14 or younger decreased 22 percent between 1986 and 1996 to the lowest rate ever recorded.

Note: denominator used is the population of girls aged 10-14. Ventura, S.J., Mosher, W.D., Curtin, S.C., Abma, J.C., & Henshaw, S. (2000). Trends in pregnancies and pregnancy rates by outcome: Estimates for the United States, 1976-96. Vital and Health Statistics 21(56).


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Under 15 (NCHS)


87.4

68.1

221.3177.8

167.8

155.8 157.1

0

40

80

120

160

200

240

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996


Non-Hispanic Black

Hispanic (any race)

Non-Hispanic White



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Racial/Ethnic Subgroups (NCHS)


56.343.9

165.0128.1

113.9101.0 105.0

0

40

80

120

160

200

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Teen pregnancy rates vary substantially among the three largest racial/ethnic subgroups. Between 1990 and 1996, the rate for African-American and non-Hispanic White teens both declined 22 percent. The teen pregnancy rate for Hispanics was 4 percent higher in 1996 than it was in 1990 because it increased between 1990 and 1994 and only then began to decrease (8 percent between 1994 and 1996).

Non-Hispanic Black

Hispanic (any race)

Non-Hispanic White



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Aged 15-17, Racial/Ethnic Subgroups (NCHS)


126.4

105.6

295.3

254.4251.6

231.4 235.4

80

120

160

200

240

280

320

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996


Non-Hispanic Black

Hispanic (any race)

Non-Hispanic White





1.5

1.1

11.8

8.7

4.5

4.0 4.3

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996


Non-Hispanic Black

Hispanic (any race)

Non-Hispanic White

Note: denominator used is the population of girls aged 10-14. Ventura, S.J., Mosher, W.D., Curtin, S.C., Abma, J.C., & Henshaw, S. (2000). Trends in pregnancies and pregnancy rates by outcome: Estimates for the United States, 1976-96. Vital and Health Statistics 21(56).




184163

305 291

156

314

72142

326

0

90

180

270

360

non-Hispanic White non-Hispanic Black Hispanic

all teens aged 15-19

sexually experienced teens aged 15-19

teens aged 15-19 sexually active in the past year

The pregnancy rates for sexually experienced and sexually active teens are higher than the overall teen pregnancy rate because they are calculated by dividing the same number of pregnancies by the number of teens who are sexually experienced (or sexually active in the past year) instead of all teen girls.



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Sexually Experienced and Sexually Active Teens,

1995 (NCHS)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

miscarriage15%

birth55%

abortion30%

In 1996, just over one-half of teen pregnancies ended in birth, about one-third ended in abortion, and 15 percent ended in miscarriage.


137,000

492,000

264,000


Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19, 1996 (NCHS)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1976 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996

abortionmiscarriagebirth

The proportion of teen pregnancies ending in birth was just under one-half for most of the 1980s, but increased slightly in the late 80s and early 90s so that the majority of pregnancies ended in birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19 (NCHS)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

15-19

18-19

15-17

under 15


Pregnancies to girls aged 14 or younger are less likely to end in birth than pregnancies to other age groups.



Pregnancy Outcomes, 1996 (NCHS)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Hispanic

Non-Hispanic Black

Non-Hispanic White


Hispanic teens are most likely, and non-Hispanic Black teens least likely, to have a pregnancy that ends in a birth.



Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19, 1996 (NCHS)

Alternate Teen Pregnancy Statistics from the National Center for Chronic Disease

Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health and

Human Services

Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1997 (NCCDPHP)

Over eight-hundred-thousand teen pregnancies occurred in 1997. To put it another way, more than 95 U.S. teens become pregnant each hour. Forty percent of these pregnancies were to girls under age 18, and 60 percent were to girls aged 18-19.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). National and state-specific pregnancy rates among adolescents – United States, 1995-1997. MMWR, 49(27), 605-11.

under 153%

15-1737%

18-1960%518,800

321,300 23,700

Total: 840,000


94.3 90.798.3

60.5 57.163.9

142.7147.8151.4

40

70

100

130

160

190

1995 1996 1997


Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Age Subgroups (NCCDPHP)


Teen Pregnancy Rates, Girls Under 15 (NCCDPHP)


6.46.8

7.2

0

2

4

6

8

10

1995 1996 1997

The teen pregnancy rate for girls aged 14 or younger decreased 11 percent between 1995 and 1997.

Note: denominator used is the population of girls aged 13-14. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2000). National and state-specific pregnancy rates among adolescents – United States, 1995-1997. MMWR, 49(27), 605-11.


State Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1997 (NCCDPHP)



Teen pregnancy rates vary widely by state, ranging from 48 per 1,000 in North Dakota to 128 per 1,000 in Delaware.

98-128 per 1,00082-96 per 1,00065-79 per 1,000

data not reported48-64 per 1,000



0.3-1.8% increase0.8-5.8% decrease5.9-7.5% decrease

data not available7.7-19.8% decrease

Changes in Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1995-97 (NCCDPHP)


Teen pregnancy rates declined in every state but Connecticut and Utah between 1995 and 1997; declines ranged from 0.8 percent in Minnesota to 19.8 percent in Maryland.


Number of Teen Pregnancies, 1995 (NCCDPHP)

Kaufmann, R.B., Spitz, A.M., Strauss, L.T., Morris, L., Santelli, J.S., Koonin, L.M., & Marks, J.S. (1998). The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995. Pediatrics, 102(5), 1141-7.

18-1961%

15-1739%

542,640

337,530

Total:735,751

Over seven hundred thousand teen pregnancies occurred in 1995. Thirty-nine percent of these pregnancies were to girls aged 15-17 and 60 percent were to girls aged 18-19.


96.2

83.6

95.9

54.362.8

144.7

129.2

138.3

50

70

90

110

130

150

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995


Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Age Subgroups (NCCDPHP)


164.6

174.6

83.6

95.9

60

90

120

150

180

210

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

Sexually Experienced Teens

All Teens

The pregnancy rate for sexually experienced teens is higher than the overall teen pregnancy rate because it is calculated by dividing the same number of pregnancies by the number of teens who are sexually experienced (about one-half of all teen girls). While the teen pregnancy rate for all girls aged 15-19 decreased 13 percent between 1990 and 1995, the rate for sexually experienced teens declined 6 percent.



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Sexually Experienced Teens (NCCDPHP)

(number of pregnancies per 1,000 sexually experienced girls aged 15-19)

83.6

164.6

199.1 210.6

129.2

54.3

182.6142.9

219.1

0

50

100

150

200

250

15-17 18-19 15-19

all teens

sexually experienced teens

teens sexually active in the past three months

The pregnancy rates for sexually experienced and sexually active teens are higher than the overall teen pregnancy rate because they are calculated by dividing the same number of pregnancies by the number of teens who are sexually experienced (or sexually active in the past three months) instead of all teen girls.



Teen Pregnancy Rates, Sexually Experienced and Sexually Active Teens, 1995 (NCCDPHP)


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

15-19

18-19

15-17

birth abortion

Nearly 70 percent of teen pregnancies end in a birth.

Note: these pregnancy rates do not include estimates of miscarriage. Kaufmann, R.B., Spitz, A.M., Strauss, L.T., Morris, L., Santelli, J.S., Koonin, L.M., & Marks, J.S. (1998). The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995. Pediatrics, 102(5), 1141-7.


Pregnancy Outcomes, 1995 (NCCDPHP)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

1990 1992 1994

abortionbirth

The proportion of teen pregnancies ending in birth increased slightly in the 1990s, from 62 percent in 1990 to 68 percent in 1995.

Note: these pregnancy rates do not include estimates of miscarriage. Kaufmann, R.B., Spitz, A.M., Strauss, L.T., Morris, L., Santelli, J.S., Koonin, L.M., & Marks, J.S. (1998). The decline in US teen pregnancy rates, 1990-1995. Pediatrics, 102(5), 1141-7.


Pregnancy Outcomes, Teens 15-19 (NCCDPHP)

Part II: Teen Birth Statistics

Definition of Terms

• Birth Rate – number of births ÷ population, usually multiplied by 1,000. Example – birth rate for teens 15-19, 1998:

• Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens – number of births to unmarried teens ÷ total number of births in the same age group, multiplied by 100. Example – proportion of births to teens 15-19, 1998, that were to unmarried teens:

• Proportion of All Births that are to Teens – number of teen births ÷ total number of births to women of all ages. Example – proportion of all births in 1998 that were to girls under 20:

484,895 births

9,493,761 girls aged 15-19

= 0.0511 × 1,000 = 51.1 per 1,000

380,868 births to unmarried teens

484,895 births to teens

= 0.785 × 100 = 78.5 percent


494,357 births to girls under 20

3,941,553 total births

= 0.125 × 100 = 12.5 percent

Data Sources

• Teen birth data are usually released by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

• For the past few years, birth data have been released in two waves. Preliminary data for the previous year are released in the Fall (so preliminary data for 1998 were released in October 1999, for example). Final data are released the next Spring (final 1998 birth data were released in March 2000). The preliminary report is based on a subset of birth records (97.6 percent in 1999) and contains less detail than the final report. Both preliminary and final reports have typically been released through NCHS’s monthly periodical, National Vital Statistics Reports.


Data Sources, Continued

• Some data, such as state-level rates for racial/ethnic subgroups, are not included in the standard final report. These data are published through special reports, released sporadically through NCHS’s National Vital Statistics Reports. Recent titles of interest include “Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States, 1940-99” and “Variations in Teenage Birth Rates, 1991-98: National and State Trends.”

• Another source of data from NCHS is its report, Vital Statistics of the United States.

• Finally, depending on what data has been released by NCHS in special reports, Child Trends’ “Facts at a Glance” may be the best source for certain information, such as the proportion of teen births that are out-of-wedlock, by race and state.


Data Sources, Continued

• Many states also release birth data. Some states use age groups that aren’t used by the federal government, such as ages 10-17 or 13-19. For these states, rates from the state should not be compared with federal rates.

• Even among states that use the same age ranges as the federal government, slight variations may exist. For example, the California Department of Health Services published a 1997 birth rate for California teens aged 15-19 of 56.7 per 1,000, while NCHS published a rate of 57.3. It is unclear whether such differences are due to different population estimates or different counts of births (either due to different treatment of birth certificates with missing data or different policies on births to out-of-state residents).


Number of Teen Births, 1999*

Nearly one-half million teen births occurred in 1999. To put it another way, more than 55 U.S. teens give birth each hour. Thirty-six percent of these births were to girls under age 18, and 64 percent were to girls aged 18-19.

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14).

under 152%

15-1734%

18-1964%

312,186

163,559 9,049

Total: 484,794



Among teens aged 15-19, more births occur to non-Hispanic White teens than to any other racial/ethnic group.

9,255

124,352

337,323

213,223

121,262

7,905

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

teen girls aged 15-19

White (total)White (non-Hispanic)African AmericanNative AmericanAsian/Pacific IslanderHispanic (any race)




The proportion of all teen births that are to girls under 18 ranges from 31 percent for non-Hispanic White teens to 40 percent for Hispanic and African-American teens.

111,481

63,659

45,979

2,980

3,119

48,127

149,564

75,283

4,925

6,135

76,2262,721142

203

3,981

4,723

2,046

225,842

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White (total)

White (non-Hispanic)

African American

Native American

Asian/Pacific Islander

Hispanic (any race)

aged 15-17 aged 10-14 aged 18-19



Teen Birth Rates, Girls Aged 15-19(number of births per 1,000 girls)

49.6

52.8

89.1

50.2

62.168.3

81.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

The teen birth rate declined steadily from 1960 through the mid-1970s, stayed fairly constant for the next decade, then increased 24 percent between 1986 and 1991. Between 1991 and 1999, the teen birth rate decreased 20 percent to a record low.

Note: data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

49.662.181.6

166.7

94.4 80.2

43.9

38.728.7

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998


Older teens (aged 18-19) have a teen birth rate that is more than twice as high as the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17). While the teen birth rate for girls aged 15-19 decreased 20 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens declined 15 percent and the rate for younger teens declined 26 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Note: data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


32.239.0

43.9

30.5

38.7

28.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999*


After decreasing 31 percent between 1960 and 1986, the teen birth rate for girls aged 15-17 increased 27 percent between 1986 and 1991, and then decreased 26 percent between 1991 and 1999 to its lowest rate ever recorded.

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


78.5

94.5

80.5

166.7

80.2

114.7

60

90

120

150

180

1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999*


After decreasing 53 percent between 1960 and 1987, the teen birth rate for girls aged 18-19 increased 20 percent between 1987 and 1992, and then decreased 15 percent between 1992 and 1999 to a near-record low.

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


1.41.2 1.4

0.9

1.1

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997


After increasing 27 percent between 1983 and 1989, the teen birth rate for girls aged 10-14 remained constant between 1989 and 1994 and then decreased 36 percent between 1994 and 1999 to its lowest rate ever recorded.

Note: data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Teen Birth Rates by Race/Ethnicity,Girls Aged 15-19

(number of births per 1,000 girls)

49.6

62.153.0

44.552.8

45.434.1

43.4

81.1

115.5

97.8

67.7

85.0

82.2

22.827.426.2

93.1106.7

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


Teen birth rates vary substantially among the largest racial/ethnic subgroups. Between 1991 and 1999, the rate for African-American teens declined 30 percent, the rate for all White teens declined 16 percent and the rate for non-Hispanic White teens declined 21 percent, the rate for Hispanics decreased 13 percent, the rate for Native Americans declined 20 percent, and the rate for Asian/Pacific Islanders declined 17 percent.

Hispanic (any race)

African American

White (total)

Non-Hispanic WhiteAsian/Pacific Islander

Native American

TOTAL


African-American Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

81.1

115.597.8

135.1

122.9

158.6

72.5

52.1

84.1

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


While the teen birth rate for African-American girls aged 15-19 decreased 30 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) declined 23 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) declined 38 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Native American Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

67.785.082.2

129.5

110.4

134.3

51.5 41.352.7

0

30

60

90

120

150

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


While the teen birth rate for Native American girls aged 15-19 decreased 20 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) declined 18 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) declined 27 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Asian/Pacific Islander Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

22.827.426.2

46.2

38.8

43.1

12.0 12.616.1

0

20

40

60

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


While the teen birth rate for Asian/Pacific Islander girls aged 15-19 decreased 17 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) declined 10 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) declined 22 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Non-Hispanic White Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

43.4

34.139.9

70.5

59.0

23.6

17.1

0

20

40

60

80

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999*


While the teen birth rate for non-Hispanic White girls aged 15-19 decreased 21 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) declined 16 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) declined 28 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Hispanic Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

107.793.1

100.8

147.7

158.0

139.0

74.065.961.2

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999*


While the teen birth rate for Hispanic girls aged 15-19 decreased 14 percent between 1991 and 1999, the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) declined 12 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) declined 13 percent.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Teen Birth Rates by Race/Ethnicity,Girls Aged 10-14


0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998

African AmericanHispanic (any race)Native AmericanTOTALWhite (total)Asian/Pacific IslanderWhite (non-Hispanic)


Teen birth rates vary substantially among the largest racial/ethnic subgroups. Between 1991 and 1999, the teen birth rate for all girls aged 10-14 declined 36 percent, the rate for African-American teens declined 46 percent, the rate for all White teens declined 25 percent and the rate for non-Hispanic White teens declined 40 percent, the rate for Hispanics decreased 17 percent, and the rate for Asian/Pacific Islanders declined 50 percent. Birth rates for Native Americans aged 10-14 increased 6 percent between 1991 and 1999.


Number of Hispanic Teen Births, 1998(births to girls aged 15-19)

Nearly three-quarters of all births to Hispanic teens (ages 15-19) were to Mexican-American girls. Teens of Puerto Rican descent accounted for 10 percent, Cuban-Americans for one percent, and teens of Central/South American and other Hispanic descent each accounted for 8 percent of teen births.

Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Central/South American Descent

8%Other

Hispanic8%

Cuban Descent1%

Puerto Rican Descent

10%Mexican Descent

73%

(88,484)

(9,911)Total: 121,388


(12,286)

(9,821)

(886)

Hispanic Teen Birth Rates, 1998(births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Among Hispanic teens (ages 15-19), Mexican-American girls have the highest teen birth rate.

93.6102.7

81.2

24.2

80.0

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

AllHispanic

MexicanDescent

PuertoRican

Descent

CubanDescent

OtherHispanic



Hispanic Teen Birth Rates, Girls Aged 15-19


107.7106.7

93.6

116.2117.3102.7

81.2106.0102.7

40.227.7

24.2

87.9

88.180.0

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999*

Hispanic (all)

Mexican Descent

Puerto RicanDescent

Cuban Descent

Other Hispanic


Trends in teen birth rates for Hispanic subgroups differ from each other. Between 1994, when the Hispanic teen birth rate peaked, and 1998, the overall Hispanic teen birth rate declined 13 percent. Declines for Hispanic teens of Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban descent were 12, 23, and 40 percent, respectively. Teen birth rates for other Hispanic teens decreased 9 percent.

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Mexican-American Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

185.3159.1

124.6 102.7

84.467.0

0

40

80

120

160

200

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Trends in teen birth rates for Hispanic teens of Mexican descent decreased between 1991 and 1993, but then increased between 1993 and 1995. From this 1995 peak, rates for 15- to 19-year-olds have decreased 18 percent, rates for girls aged 15-17 have decreased 21 percent, and rates for girls aged 18-19 have decreased 14 percent.

Girls aged 18-19

Girls aged 15-19

Girls aged 15-17


Cuban-American Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls)

53.4

38.838.3

24.225.3

15.6

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Generally speaking, Cuban-American teen birth rates were increasing between 1991 and 1997. Between 1997 and 1998, rates for 15- to 19-year-olds decreased 37 percent, rates for girls aged 15-17 decreased 38 percent, and rates for girls aged 18-19 decreased 27 percent.

Girls aged 18-19

Girls aged 15-19

Girls aged 15-17


Birth Rates for Hispanics of Puerto Rican Descent(number of births per 1,000 girls)

181.0

120.7

110.081.2

73.4 55.1

0

40

80

120

160

200

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Between 1993 and 1998, rates for 15- to 19-year-olds have decreased 26 percent, rates for girls aged 15-17 have decreased 25 percent, and rates for girls aged 18-19 have decreased 33 percent.

Girls aged 18-19

Girls aged 15-19

Girls aged 15-17


103.1

106.9

141.7

69.8

80.0

106.9

46.656.7

78.2

0

40

80

120

160

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Between 1993 and 1996, rates for “other” Hispanic teens aged 15-19, 15-17, and 18-19 decreased 35, 40, and 39 percent, respectively. However, between 1996 and 1998 rates for all three age groups increased: 15 percent for girls aged 15-19, 23 percent for girls aged 15-17, and 4 percent for girls aged 18-19. Possible changes in the composition of this “other” Hispanic group make interpreting rate changes difficult, however.

Girls aged 18-19

Girls aged 15-19

Girls aged 15-17

Birth Rates for Hispanics of “Other” Descent (not Mexican, Puerto Rican, or Cuban)



Teen Birth Rates, Hispanic Girls Aged 10-14


0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999*

Mexican Descent

Hispanic (Total)

Puerto RicanDescentCuban Descent

Other Hispanic


Between 1994, when the Hispanic teen birth rate peaked, and 1998, the overall Hispanic teen birth rate for girls aged 10-14 declined 22 percent. Declines for Hispanic teens of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent were 21 and 41 percent, respectively. Birth rates for Cuban-American teens aged 10-14 increased 33 percent in the same time period, while teen birth rates for other Hispanic teens decreased 27 percent.

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Ventura, S.J., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (2000). Variations in teenage birth rates, 1991-98: National and state trends. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(6).

Teen birth rates vary widely by state, ranging from 24.4 per 1,000 in Vermont to 73.0 per 1,000 in Mississippi.


24.4-35.8 per 1,000

36.9-42.6 per 1,000

43.1-49.2 per 1,000

51.2-61.6 per 1,000

64.3-73.0 per 1,000

State Teen Birth Rates, 1998(births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Changes in Teen Birth Rates, 1991-98(births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Teen birth rates declined in all 50 state between 1991 and 1998; declines ranged from 9.7 percent in Rhode Island to 37.8 percent in Vermont.


20.6-37.8% decline

17.9-20.5% decline

14.9-17.4% decline

12.7-14.7% decline

9.7-12.6% declineVentura, S.J., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (2000). Variations in teenage birth rates, 1991-98: National and state trends. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(6).

Teen Birth Rates, Fathers Aged 15-19(number of births per 1,000 boys)

17.918.8

21.625.0

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998


After increasing 40 percent between 1986 and 1994, the teen birth rate for fathers aged 15-19 remained constant between 1989 and 1994 and then decreased 14 percent between 1994 and 1998.

Note: age of father is often missing for teen births (approximately 40 percent of teen births in 1997, for example). Cases with missing data are distributed according the proportions of births by age of father where this information is known. Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Number of Teen Births by Birth Order, 1999*(births to girls aged 15-19)

Nearly four-fifths of all teen births are first births. Of the other 22 percent, 18 percent are births to teens who already have one child, 3 percent are births to teens who already have two children, less than one percent are fourth or higher-order births, and the final 1 percent of births do not have a birth order stated on the birth certificate.

Fourth+0%

Not Stated1%

Third3%

Second18%

First78%

(370,749)(2,148)

Total: 475,745


(85,455)

(14,643)

(2,750)


375,216

223,096

152,120

9,181

105,327

85,900

19,427

170111

1,684

2,668

4,352

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

15-19

18-19

15-17

under 15

First births Subsequent births Order not stated

Older teens are more likely to have repeat births: only 72 percent of births to teens aged 18-19 are first births, vs. 88 percent of births to teens aged 15-17 and 97 percent of births to teens 14 or younger.



Number of Teen Births by Birth Order, 1998

Number of Teen Births by Birth Order, 1998(births to girls aged 15-19)

The proportion of all teen births that are first births ranges from 72 percent for African-American teens to 82 percent for non-Hispanic White teens.

270,096

178,863

91,718

6,152

7,250

91,153 28,871

1,761

1,889

34,320

67,357

38,578

1,364

52

160

899

1,728

3,241

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White (total)


African American

Native American


Hispanic (any race)




Number of Teen Births by Birth Order, Hispanic Teens, 1998

(births to girls aged 15-19)

The proportion of all teen births that are first births ranges from 74 percent for teens of Puerto Rican descent to 82 percent for teens of Cuban descent.

65,970

727

9,032

7,917

7,507

91,153 28,871

2,214

1,948

3,091

21,461

157

1,364

100

46

163

2

1,053

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Mexican Descent

Cuban Descent


Central/South American

Other/Unknown Hispanic

Hispanic (any race)




46.7

42.1

50.0

41.8

49.6

36

38

40

42

44

46

48

50

52

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995

Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


First birth rates for childless teens aged 15-19 decreased 7 percent between 1994 and 1996, after increasing 20 percent between 1987 and 1994.

First Birth Rates for Childless Teens(number of births per 1,000 childless girls aged 15-19)

174.6173.5

220.9

192.1

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997


After increasing 15 percent between 1985 and 1991, the second birth rate for teens aged 15-19 who have had one child decreased 21 percent between 1991 and 1996, but then increased 0.6 percent between 1996 and 1998.

Second Birth Rates for Teens With One Child(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).

25

50

75

100

1985 1988 1991 1994 19970

50

100

150

200

250

First Birth Rate,Childless TeensOverall Teen BirthRateSecond Birth Rate,Teens With 1 Child


During the late 1980s, the overall teen birth rate and rates of first and second births all increased. In the early 1990s, the overall teen birth rate and the rate of second births decreased while the rate of first teen births remained roughly constant. In the mid- to late-1990s, the rate of second teen births remained roughly constant, while the overall teen birth rate and the rate of first births decreased.

Teen Birth Rates by Birth Order(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12). Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens, 1999*

(births to teens aged 15-19)

Of the one-half million births to teens aged 15-19 in 1999, 78.6 percent were to unmarried teens.

Married21.4%

Unmarried78.6%


* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14).

101,814

373,931

382,655

373,931

230,613

143,318

8,724325

20,241

81,573

101,814

102,139

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Under 20

15-19

18-19

15-17

under 15

Unmarried Married

Younger teens are more likely to have an out-of-wedlock birth: 96 percent of girls under 15 giving birth are unmarried, vs. 88 percent of girls aged 15-17 and 74 percent of girls aged 18-19.


* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Curtin, S.C., & Martin, J.A. (2000). Births: Preliminary data for 1999. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(14).

Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens, 1999*

The proportion of all teen births that are out-of-wedlock ranges from 70.9 percent for Hispanic teens to 95.7 percent for African-American teens.

240,353

84,594

122,986

6,591

6,187

155,795 64,062

2,412

1,2195,553

33,528

97,919

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White (total)


African American

Native American


Hispanic (any race)

Unmarried Married


National Center for Health Statistics. (2000). Vital statistics of the United States, 1997, Volume I, Natality. [Online]. Available: www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/statb/unpubd/natality/natab97.htm.

Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens, 1997 (births to teens aged 15-19)

Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens

78.6%

13.4%

87.6%

22.6%

73.9%

9.4%

96.4%

63.7%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Also, data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1999). Births: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(18). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


The proportion of teen births that occur to unmarried teens increased steadily between 1950 and 1999 for all age groups.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Under 15

Proportion of Teen Births to Unmarried Teens,

White Teens

78.6%

6.2%

83.2%

10.2%

67.3%

4.8%

93.9%

41.9%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998


The proportion of White teen births that occur to unmarried teens increased steadily between 1950 and 1999 for all age groups.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Under 15

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Also, data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1999). Births: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(18). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


African-American Teens

95.5%

62.7%

98.3%

76.0%

93.7%

52.1%

99.5%

93.5%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998


The proportion of African-American teen births that occur to unmarried teens increased steadily between 1970 and 1999 for all age groups.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Under 15

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Also, data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1999). Births: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(18). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12).


Hispanic Teens

72.9%

61.9%

81.8%

69.0%

67.3%

57.2%

92.9%

81.8%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999** Data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1999). Births: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(18). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1998). Report of final natality statistics, 1996. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 46(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1997). Report of final natality statistics, 1995. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 45(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Mathews, T.J., & Clark, S.C. (1996). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1994. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 44(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Taffel, S.M., Mathews, T.J., & Clarke, S.C. (1995). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1993. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 44(3s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Taffel, S.M., Mathews, T.J., & Clarke, S.C. (1994). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1992. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 43(5s).


The proportion of Hispanic teen births that occur to unmarried teens increased between 1992 and 1999 for all age groups.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Under 15


Non-Hispanic White Teens

95.5%

88.1% 84.5%

71.6%

67.5%

54.0%

72.6%

59.7%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999*


The proportion of teen births that occur to unmarried teens increased steadily between 1992 and 1999 for all age groups.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged

15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Girls Under 15

* Data for 1999 are preliminary. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1999). Births: Final data for 1997. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(18). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1998). Report of final natality statistics, 1996. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 46(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., & Mathews, T.J. (1997). Report of final natality statistics, 1995. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 45(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Mathews, T.J., & Clark, S.C. (1996). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1994. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 44(11s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Taffel, S.M., Mathews, T.J., & Clarke, S.C. (1995). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1993. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 44(3s). Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Taffel, S.M., Mathews, T.J., & Clarke, S.C. (1994). Advance report of final natality statistics, 1992. Monthly Vital Statistics Report 43(5s).

Unmarried Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 unmarried girls)

17.5

46.4

7.4

41.532.0

13.1

27.0

70.1

64.5

25.6

0

20

40

60

80

1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).


The unmarried teen birth rate for girls aged 15-19 increased 527 percent between 1940 and 1994. Between 1966 and 1994, rates for older teens (aged 18-19) increased 174 percent, rates for younger teens (aged 15-17) increased 144 percent, and the overall rate increased 165 percent. Between 1994 and 1998, the overall unmarried teen birth rate decreased 11 percent, while rates for older and younger teens declined 8 and 16 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19 Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Unmarried Teen Birth Rates, White Teens(number of births per 1,000 unmarried girls)

8.5

36.2

3.3

34.024.1

5.4

21.8

56.453.5

14.1

0

20

40

60

1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995


The unmarried teen birth rate for White girls aged 15-19 increased 997 percent between 1940 and 1994. Between 1966 and 1994, rates for older teens (aged 18-19) increased 300 percent, rates for younger teens (aged 15-17) increased 346 percent, and the overall rate increased 326 percent. Between 1994 and 1998, the overall unmarried teen birth rate decreased 6 percent, while rates for older and younger teens declined 5 and 10 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported, and race is measured as race of child. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).

Unmarried Teen Birth Rates, African-American Teens

(number of births per 1,000 unmarried girls)

85.083.4

108.5

90.3

65.9 56.572.0

80.4

114.2

123.5128.4148.7

0

30

60

90

120

150

1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996


Between 1981 and 1991, the unmarried teen birth rates for older African-American teens (aged 18-19) increased 30 percent, rates for younger teens (aged 15-17) increased 22 percent, and the overall rate increased 28 percent. Between 1991 and 1998, the overall unmarried teen birth rate for African Americans decreased 23 percent, while rates for older and younger teens declined 17 and 30 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported, and race is measured as race of child. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).

Unmarried Teen Birth Rates, Hispanic Teens


73.982.665.9

45.959.0 53.0

98.9 123.6107.8

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Between 1990 and 1994, the unmarried teen birth rate for Hispanic teens aged 15-19 and 18-19 both increased 25 percent, while rates for teens aged 15-17 increased 29 percent. Between 1994 and 1998, the unmarried teen birth rates for Hispanic teens aged 15-19, 15-17, and 18-19 decreased 11, 11, and 13 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Unmarried Teen Birth Rates, Non-Hispanic White Teens


25.728.125.0

18.0 15.316.2

37.0

42.045.0

0

10

20

30

40

50

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


Between 1990 and 1994, rates for older teens (aged 18-19) increased 22 percent, rates for younger teens (aged 15-17) increased 11 percent, and the overall rate increased 12 percent. Between 1994 and 1998, the overall unmarried teen birth rate decreased 9 percent, while rates for older and younger teens declined 7 and 15 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19


Married Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 married girls)

456.4420.2

322.1307.6410.4

674.9 610.9

276.0

490.6

336.9385.1

412.3

265.8

0

150

300

450

600

750

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).


The married teen birth rate for girls aged 15-19 increased 37 percent between 1976 and 1990, while the rate for older teens (aged 18-19) increased 45 percent and the rate for younger teens (aged 15-17) increased 25 percent. Between 1990 and 1998, the overall married teen birth rate decreased 23 percent, while rates for older and younger teens declined 13 and 55 percent, respectively.

Girls Aged 15-19

Girls Aged 15-17

Girls Aged 18-19

Married Teen Birth Rates, White Teens(number of births per 1,000 married girls aged 15-19)

513.0

347.3

414.4

398.5

303.9

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported, and race is measured by race of child. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).


The married teen birth rate for White girls aged 15-19 increased 36 percent between 1976 and 1990, and then decreased 16 percent between 1990 and 1998.

Married Teen Birth Rates, African-American Teens

(number of births per 1,000 married girls aged 15-19)

514.6

315.3

548.9

161.0182.6

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996


Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported, and race is measured by race of child. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16).

The married teen birth rate for African-American girls aged 15-19 increased 74 percent between 1979 and 1993, decreased 71 percent between 1993 and 1997, but then increased 13 percent between 1997 and 1998.

Married Teen Birth Rates, Hispanic Teens(number of births per 1,000 married girls aged 15-19)

335.1

439.4

360.4

447.7414.6

0

100

200

300

400

500

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


The married teen birth rate for Hispanic girls aged 15-19 decreased 19 percent between 1990 and 1998.


Married Teen Birth Rates, Non-Hispanic White Teens

(number of births per 1,000 married girls aged 15-19)

338.1

330.1

348.7

339.7

320

325

330

335

340

345

350

355

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998


The married teen birth rate for non-Hispanic White girls aged 15-19 decreased 5 percent between 1995 and 1996, then increased 2 percent between 1996 and 1998.


Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

0

20

40

60

80

100

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 19950

100

200

300

400

500

600


This graph shows birth rates for married, unmarried, and all teens aged 15-19, as well as the percent of births to girls aged 15-19 that were out-of-wedlock. Generally, the married and overall teen birth rate seem to correspond to each other, although by the mid-1980s the unmarried teen birth rate also seems to have followed the same pattern.

Percent of Teen Births to

Unmarried TeensUnmarried Teens

All Teens

Married Teens

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12) Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).

Teen Birth Rates(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

41.544.8 46.4

51.162.158.9

78.568.875.5

410.4

350.5322.1

10

30

50

70

90

110

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 19980

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

Note: before 1980, marital status is estimated based on data from areas in which marital status of mother was reported. Ventura, S.J., & Bachrach, C.A. (2000). Nonmarital childbearing in the United States, 1940-99. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(16). Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J., & Curtin, S.C. (1998). Declines in teenage birth rates, 1991-97: National and state patterns. National Vital Statistics Reports 47(12) Ventura, S.J., Martin, J.A., Curtin, S.C., Mathews, T.J., & Park, M.M. (2000). Birth: Final data for 1998. National Vital Statistics Reports 48(3).


Between 1991 (when the overall teen birth rate peaked) and 1998, the rate for married and unmarried teens decreased 22 and 7 percent, respectively, the percent of teen births that were out-of-wedlock increased 14 percent, and the overall teen birth rate decreased 18 percent. Between 1994 (when the unmarried teen birth rate peaked) and 1998, rates for married, unmarried, and all teens decreased 8, 11, and 13 percent, respectively, while the percent of teens births that were out-of-wedlock increased 4 percent.

Percent of Teen Births to

Unmarried Teens

Unmarried Teens

All Teens

Married Teens

Marital Status at First Birth, Teens Aged 15-19

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1930-341935-391940-441945-491950-541955-591960-641965-691970-741975-791980-841985-891990-94

Out-of-Wedlock Birth Legitimated Birth Marital Birth

Bachu, A. (1999). Trends in premarital childbearing: 1930-1994. Current Population Reports P23-197.


Between the time periods of 1930-34 and 1990-94, first births to teens aged 15-19 becane much more likely to occur to an unmarried teen. The proportion of all premaritally conceived births that were “legitimated” (born to a married teen) decreased from 49 percent in 1930-34 to 16 percent in 1990-94. Or, to put it another way, 16 percent of first births to married teens in 1930-34 were conceived premaritally, compared to 56 percent in 1990-94.

Marital Status at First Birth, White Teens Aged 15-19

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1930-341935-391940-441945-491950-541955-591960-641965-691970-741975-791980-841985-891990-94




Between the time periods of 1930-34 and 1990-94, first births to White teens aged 15-19 became much more likely to occur to an unmarried teen. The proportion of all premaritally conceived births that were legitimated decreased from 60 percent in 1930-34 to 19 percent in 1990-94. Or, to put it another way, 16 percent of first births to married teens in 1930-34 were conceived premaritally, compared to 53 percent in 1990-94.

Marital Status at First Birth, African American Teens Aged 15-19

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1930-341935-391940-441945-491950-541955-591960-641965-691970-741975-791980-841985-891990-94




Between the time periods of 1930-34 and 1990-94, first births to African American teens aged 15-19 became much more likely to occur to an unmarried teen. The proportion of all premaritally conceived births that were legitimated decreased from 22 percent in 1930-34 to 7 percent in 1990-94. Or, to put it another way, 16 percent of first births to married teens in 1930-34 were conceived premaritally, compared to 80 percent in 1990-94.

Marital Status at First Birth, Hispanic Teens Aged 15-19

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

1965-69

1970-74

1975-79

1980-84

1985-89

1990-94




Between the time periods of 1965-69 and 1990-94, first births to Hispanic teens aged 15-19 became much more likely to occur to an unmarried teen. The proportion of all premaritally conceived births that were legitimated decreased from 24 percent in 1965-69 to 15 percent in 1990-94. Or, to put it another way, 11 percent of first births to married teens in 1965-69 were conceived premaritally, compared to 43 percent in 1990-94.

The Proportion of All Out-of-Wedlock BirthsThat Are to Teens, Women in Their 20s, and Women

Aged 30 Or Older, 1970 and 1999*

In 1970, teens accounted for one-half of all births to unmarried women. By 1999, this proportion decreased to 29 percent, with the majority of out-of-wedlock births now occurring among women aged 20-29.



19 or Younger

50%

Aged 20-2942%

30 or Older8% 19 or

Younger29%

30 or Older15%

Aged 20-2956%

1970 1999*

Teen Births as a Proportion of All Births, 1999*

Of the 4 million births occurring in the U.S. in 1999, 12.2 percent were to girls under age 20.

Girls Under 2012.2%

Women 20 and Older87.8%



Teen Births as a Proportion of All Births, by Race/Ethnicity, 1998

The proportion of all births that are to teens ranges from 5.4 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders to 21.5 percent for African Americans.

21.5%

20.9%

16.9%5.4%

9.4%

11.1%

83.1%

94.6%

79.1%

78.5%

90.6%

88.9%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

White (total)


African American

Native American


Hispanic (any race)

Girls Aged 15-19 Women Aged 20 or Older



Teen Births as a Proportion of All Births, Hispanics, 1998

The proportion of all Hispanic births that are to teens ranges from 6.9 percent for Hispanics of Cuban descent to 21.9 percent for Hispanics of Puerto Rican descent.

17.5%

21.9%

20.2%

16.9%

10.3%

6.9%

83.1%

79.8%

89.7%

78.1%

93.1%

82.5%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Mexican Descent

Cuban Descent


Central/South American

Other/Unknown Hispanic

Hispanic (total)




Teen Births as a Proportion of All Births, Asian/Pacific Islanders, 1998

18.8%

5.8%

6.2%

2.4%

0.9%

5.4%94.6%

99.1%

97.6%

81.2%

93.8%

94.2%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other Asian/Pacific Islander

Filipino Descent

Hawaiian Descent

Japanese Descent

Chinese Descent

Asian/Pacific Islander (total)



The proportion of all Asian/Pacific Islander births that are to teens ranges from 0.9 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders of Chinese descent to 18.8 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders of Hawaiian descent.


Number of Teen Births by Race/Ethnicity, 1998

(births to teen girls aged 15-19)

Looking at teen births by race, 70 percent occurred to White teens. Looking at teen births by Hispanic ethnicity, one-quarter occurred to Hispanic teens. Combining race and ethnicity, non-Hispanic White teens account for the most births.


White70%

Native American

2%

Black26%


2%

By Race By Ethnicity By Race/Ethnicity

Hispanic25%

Ethnicity Not Reported

1%

Non-Hispanic74%


Non-Hispanic Other

3%

Non-Hispanic Black26%

Hispanic25%

Ethnicity Not Reported

1%Non-Hispanic

White45%

121,388

359,028

126,937

124,076

(15,783)

219,169

121,388

340,694

(8,201)

(9,063)

(4,479)

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Just the Facts is a work in progress!

• Sexual activity,

• Contraceptive use,

• The teen population, and

• Consequences of teen childbearing.

Sections to be added will include data on:

The mission of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is to improve the life

prospects of this generation and the next – and, in particular, to reduce child poverty – by

influencing cultural values and building a more effective grassroots movement. The

Campaign’s goal is to reduce the teen pregnancy rate by one-third between 1996 and

2005.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy

1776 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 478-8500

(202) 478-8588 fax

www.teenpregnancy.org

[email protected]

just the facts data on teen pregnancy, childbearing, sexual activity, and contraceptive use a report...

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