Teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom

Teenage pregnancy in the United Kingdom refers to the rate at which people under 20 fall pregnant in the United Kingdom. As of 2021, the rate of teenage conceptions in the United Kingdom was 5.226% percent of total conceptions,[1] whereas 2.199% of all live births in the United Kingdom were to mothers under 20 years of age.[2] The rate of teenage pregnancy is relatively high when compared with other developed countries; the only other Western countries with higher teenage pregnancy rates are the United States and New Zealand.[3] A report in 2002 found that around half of all conceptions to under-18s were concentrated among the 30% most economically deprived population, with only 14% occurring among the 30% least deprived.[4]

The 2008 underage conception rate in England and Wales was 13% lower than in 1998.[5] Over 60% of the conceptions led to a legal abortion,[6] the highest proportion since conception statistics began in 1969. Other studies have shown similar findings.[7]

  1. ^ "Conceptions in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  2. ^ "Births in England and Wales: summary tables - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2023.
  3. ^ Sedgh, Gilda (2015). "Adolescent Pregnancy, Birth, and Abortion Rates Across Countries: Levels and Recent Trends". Journal of Adolescent Health. 56 (2): 223–30. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.09.007. PMC 4852976. PMID 25620306.
  4. ^ "Teenage Conceptions By Small Area Deprivation In England and Wales 2001-2" (Spring 2007)Health Statistics Quarterly Volume 33
  5. ^ "Teen Pregnancy Rates Lowest For Over 20 Years" DCSF
  6. ^ "Conception Statistics 2006 (provisional)" Office for National Statistics
  7. ^ Smith, Trevor (1993). "Influence of socioeconomic factors on attaining targets for reducing teenage pregnancies". British Medical Journal. 306 (6887): 1232–5. doi:10.1136/bmj.306.6887.1232. PMC 1677579. PMID 8499852.