Pregnancy and parenthood in young people: strategy update

The Impact of Inequality

The Scottish Government is committed to tackling the significant inequalities in Scottish society and there continues to be a strong correlation between deprivation and pregnancy in young people aged under 20. Although the latest data show a narrowing of the gap between the most and least deprived areas, it continues to be the case that in the under 20 age group:

• a young woman living in Scotland's most deprived areas is five times more likely to experience a pregnancy as someone living in the least deprived.
• the most deprived areas have 13 times the rate of delivery compared to the least deprived ^[5]

This is why the work of the Strategy is essential. It has a clear focus on the social determinants of teenage pregnancy, recognising that it is not just a sexual health issue, but one of equity. Through supporting increased life chances, we can help all young people to have the opportunity to plan for a positive future, whether that includes becoming a parent - or otherwise.