04 March 2011

In the UNECE region, an average of about 29 teenagers out of 1,000 gave birth in 2008. While this overall average is the highest one recorded since 2000,the levels and trends vary largely among UNECE countries. In Northern and Western Europe, adolescent fertility rate have fallen. Decrease was also observed in the United States while the level there remains much higher than in other Western countries.

In many countries of Southern,Central and Eastern Europe and in Central Asia (altogether 17 countries), the downward trend turned to a slight increase in the second half of the decade. In most cases, the adolescent fertility level of 2008 remained lower than that in 2000. However,in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Greece, Malta, the Russian Federation and Spain the increase led to a higher level in 2008 compared to 2000.

It is well known that adolescent pregnancies carry extra health risks to the mother and the baby. Teenage mothers and their children are also more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged, and many adolescent pregnancies are unwanted. The reasons for the recent increase in adolescent fertility rates in some countries would require a closer investigation to enable appropriate policy response.

Source: UNECE Statistical Database, Eurostat and national statistics.