US Teen Birth Rates Plummet to Historic Lows in 2025

The teen birth rate in the United States has hit another historic low, according to provisional data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. In 2025, the teen pregnancy rate was just 11.7 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19, a significant drop from previous years.

This continuing downward trend in teen birth rates is the result of a confluence of factors, including less sexual activity among adolescents and greater access to contraception and abortion services.

The new data reflects the latest chapter in a long-term decline in teen births that began in the 1990s. In 1991, the teen birth rate was 61.8 per 1,000 females aged 15-19. By 2019, it had dropped to 16.7 per 1,000, and now in 2025 it has fallen even further to just 11.7 per 1,000.

Researchers attribute this steady decline to a variety of factors, including increased use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as IUDs and implants, as well as greater access to comprehensive sex education and reproductive health services.

Additionally, studies have shown that fewer teenagers are engaging in sexual activity compared to previous generations, which has also contributed to the drop in teen birth rates.

The latest data highlights the significant progress that has been made in reducing unintended pregnancies among adolescents in the United States. However, experts caution that there is still work to be done to ensure all young people have access to the information and resources they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

Overall, the continued decline in teen birth rates is a positive sign for the health and well-being of young people in the United States. As policymakers and public health professionals work to build on this progress, it will be crucial to maintain a focus on comprehensive, evidence-based sexual health education and accessible reproductive healthcare services for all.