The number of U.S. teens giving birth decreased 75% between 1991 and 2021, according to data compiled by the National Center for Health Statistics.
In 1991, the rate of teen births was roughly 61.8 births per every 1,000 females ages 15 to 19. In 2020, it was 15.4.
Public health experts point to several factors that may be influencing the decrease.
A majority of teens (90%) report using birth control, according to a 2013 CDC poll, and a 2020 report by the conservative-leaning Institute for Family Studies found fewer than 40% of U.S. high schoolers were having sexual intercourse.
Abortion could be a factor, though the CDC reports the majority of abortions (57.2% in 2020) are obtained by women in their 20s.
