Teen Birth Rates in 2007 Rise For Second Year in a Row

According to a preliminary study done on 2007 birth rates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teen birth rates are up for the second year in a row. In fact, 2007 sets a record for the highest number of births ever recorded for the United States among all age groups, surpassing the peak of the postwar baby boom. The total was 4,317, 119 - up 1% from last year.

The birth rate for US teenagers rose about 1% in 2007, with 42.5 births per 1,000 teenagers 15-19 years. This figure is up from 41.9 births in 2006 and 40.5 births in 2005 for the same age group. The teenage birth rate increased 5 percent between 2005 and 2007, with most of the growth taking place from 2005 to 2006. The increases reverse a 14-year trend of declining teen birth rates; since they peaked in 1991, rates have declined 34% from 1991-2005.

Teen birth rate statistics at a glance:

• 2007 Teen Birth Rates (15-19)
  increased 1% in 2007
  42.5 births per 1,000
  total births: 445,045
• 2006 Teen Birth Rates (15-19)
  increased 3% in 2006
  41.9 births per 1,000
  total births: 435,436
• 2005 Teen Birth Rates (15-19)
  decreased 1% in 2005
  40.5 births per 1,000
  total births: 414,593

A more comprehensive chart of teen birth rates can be found below.

Groups that aim to prevent teen pregnancy are growing alarmed at the increasing rates of teen births. They cite two factors - a rise in sexual activity and a decline in contraceptive use - as the cause. As reported by Reuters:

"The teen birth rate in the U.S. had declined dramatically in past years because of both less sex and more contraception," Bill Albert of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy advocacy group...."The teen birth rate is now going up probably for the opposite set of reasons -- the combination of more sex and less contraception."

According to the Child Trends nonprofit research group, fewer sexually active high school girls are using contraceptives and fewer U.S. students are getting formal contraceptive education.

"Two years of increases in the teen birth rate are a wake-up call showing the need to target efforts to help teens delay sexual activity, improve contraceptive use, and delay early and generally unplanned childbearing," said Jennifer Manlove of Child Trends.

Birth Rates for US Teenagers for the Years 2007-2004 and 1991

Birth Rates Per 1,000
Age of Teen	2007	2006	2005	2004	1991
15-19	42.5	41.9	40.5	41.1	61.8
15-17	22.2	22.0	21.4	22.1	38.6
18-19	73.9	73.0	69.9	70.0	94.0
10-14	0.6	0.6	0.7	0.7	1.4