Birth Rates for U.S. Teenagers Reach Historic Lows for All Age and Ethnic Groups

The U.S. teen birth rate declined 9 percent from 2009 to 2010, reaching a historic low at 34.3 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19; the rate dropped 44 percent from 1991 through 2010.

Birth rates for ages 15–19 declined to historic lows in 2010 in all racial and ethnic groups, but disparities remain.

·         Rates declined by 9 percent for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black teenagers, by 12 percent for American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) and Hispanic teenagers, and by 13 percent for Asian or Pacific Islander (API) teenagers from 2009 to 2010 (3) (Figure 3).

·         Rates in 2010 ranged from 10.9 per 1,000 API to 23.5 for non-Hispanic white teenagers, 38.7 for AIAN, 51.5 for non-Hispanic black, and 55.7 for Hispanic teenagers.

Figure 3. Birth rates for women aged 15–19, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 1991, 2005, 2007, and 2010.

 To read entire report go to the CDC NCHS Data Brief

NOTE: Data for 2010 are preliminary.
SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System