Teen pregnancy rates vary across countries

Teen pregnancies, many of which are unintended, often have negative effects on the social and economic prospects of young women. In many developing countries, early pregnancy and childbearing can also pose major health risks for adolescent girls. A prior assessment of teen pregnancy rates in developed countries demonstrated a wide variation across countries and a trend toward lower rates during the period 1980–1995. We are estimating current pregnancy rates to females 15–19 years old for all developed and developing countries for which the necessary information is available. Key data sources are official statistics and nationally representative surveys of women on abortions obtained by women 15-19; live birth and population estimates from the United Nations Statistics Division and national demographic and statistical agencies; and a model-based methodology for estimating spontaneous abortion incidence on the basis of known numbers of births and induced abortions. We will estimate teen pregnancy rates and proportions of pregnancies that end in abortion in approximately 35 countries. This study will permit countries to compare their progress (or lack thereof) to that of others, and provide evidence that policymakers and program implementers can use to develop better youth-serving programs and policies.