The Experiences of Mothers Aged Under 20: Analysis of Growing Up in Scotland Data - Research Findings

Socio-economic characteristics

When the child was aged 10 months, 17% of mothers aged under 20 had a qualification at Higher Grade or above compared with 50% of mothers in their early twenties and 80% of those aged 25 or older.

As may be expected, more mothers aged under 20 have qualifications at Higher Grade level or above when their child was aged six than they did when their child was aged two. Although acquisition of qualifications increases as their child grows, even when their child is aged 6, mothers aged under 20 at the time of their child's birth remain the group least likely (by a significant margin) to have these qualifications.

When their child was aged 10 months, 21% of mothers under 20 were employed (either full-time or part-time) compared with 55% of those in their early twenties and 83% of those aged 25 or older. As the child ages, mothers aged 25 or older remain most likely to be in employment and mothers aged under 20 remain least likely.

72% of mothers aged under 20 had a household income amongst the lowest 20% of all family incomes at 10 months (the bottom 'quintile'). By comparison, the same was true for 40% of mothers aged 20 to 24 and just 12% of those aged 25 or older. At all age points, mothers aged under 20 are significantly more likely than other mothers to be in the lowest income quintile.

Mothers under 20 are considerably more reliant on state benefits and tax credits than are older mothers. This position remains as the child ages.

59% of mothers aged under 20 lived in social rented housing and were the group most likely to do so. This proportion increased over time with a corresponding decrease in the proportion living in owner-occupied housing.

Mothers aged under 20 are more likely than older mothers to live in the most deprived areas. The difference between the percentage of mothers aged under 20 and the percentage of mothers aged over 25 who live in the most deprived areas remains fairly stable as their children reach ages 2,4 and 6.

In all measures of socio-economic characteristics, mothers aged 20-24 fall between those younger and older. As such they are in a relatively advantaged position when compared with the youngest group - having more qualifications, more likely to be in employment and having higher average incomes - yet nevertheless were at a significant disadvantage when compared with older mothers.