Teenage pregnancy rate at 25-year low

Teenage pregnancies in Scotland are at the lowest level since 1994, according to the latest statistics.

In 2017, there were 30.2 teenage pregnancies per 1,000 women, down from 31.7 in 2016 and 54.7 in 1994.

The gap in teenage pregnancy rates between the most and least deprived areas has also reduced, with the rate for those living in the most deprived areas decreasing from 93.7 to 56.0 per 1,000 and those in the least deprived areas dropping from 23.4 to 11.5 per 1,000 in 2017.

Commenting on the statistics, Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said:

“It is encouraging to see a fall in the rates of teenage pregnancy for the tenth successive year.

“This reduction means rates are the lowest since monitoring began in 1994. I’m particularly pleased that the gap in teenage pregnancy rates between the most and least deprived areas is narrowing too.

“We have taken significant action in this area and are working with partners to further support young people around both pregnancy and parenthood.

“This includes the introduction of our ‘Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy’ in 2016, which aims to address the cycle of deprivation associated with pregnancy in young people and ensure services put young people at the centre of decision-making, helping them to achieve their potential as young people and as parents.”

Background

A reduction in the teenage pregnancy rate has been observed since the most recent peak in 2007.

The latest National Progress Report outlines how the Scottish Government is working to support young people around pregnancy and parenthood, through the implementation of the Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy as well as wider work across Government.

More information can be found in the Teenage Pregnancy 2017 statistics report.