Teenage pregnancy rates in the U.S. in 2020, by state

In 2020, the District of Columbia had the highest teenage pregnancy rate in the United States, followed by Mississippi and Arkansas. At that time, there were around 45 pregnancies among teens aged 15 to 19 per 1,000 in the District of Columbia.

Teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy rates in the United States have decreased in recent years. In 2020, there were around 26.7 teenage pregnancies per 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 years. This number was almost 118 per 1,000 women in the year 1990. It is believed that the causes of this decrease include more teens abstaining from sex and increased use of birth control among those teens who are sexually active. 

Contraception use

The use of contraception among sexually active teens is vital in reducing the rates of teen pregnancy. However, in 2021, only 52 percent of sexually active teens reported they used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Furthermore, only 23 percent of sexually active female high school students were using the birth control bill to prevent pregnancy. Access to contraception and taboos surrounding teen sexual activity remain barriers to contraceptive use among teens in many areas of the United States.