LONGFORD OUR TEEN PREGNANCY CAPITAL Study shows midwest has highest rate of births to under-20s
EXCLUSIVE: 1,116 61% 316
Our exclusive data analysis brings to light how the midwest county has the highest rate of births per capita to women under 20.
The study of the CSO population statistics shows there were 14 births to a population of approximately 1,255 females under that age in 2019 – a rate of 1,116 per 100,000.
Louth had the second highest teenage birth rate in 2019 with 37 babies born in a population of 4,223 women under 20 – a rate of 876 per 100,000.
Next was Wexford with a rate of 854 per 100,000 followed by Carlow with 804 and Waterford with 760.
However, overall, the rate of births to mothers under 20 fell by 61% across the country between 2007 and 2019 from 3,864 to 1,518.
There was a dramatic 70% drop in girls aged 15 or younger having babies during the same period with 21 births in this age category last year compared to 69 in 2007.
However, between 2008 and 2019 Longford consistently had the highest rate of teenage pregnancies with 244 babies born or 1,944 per 100,000.
Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy said more work is needed to drive down teenage pregnancy rates in specific parts of the country.
She told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “There has been a very definite approach by the HSE to address the number of teenage pregnancies in recent years.
“The results proved that public information campaigns do work – but they need to be targeted.
The Kildare North TD added: “Judging by these figures, there now needs to be a fresh public information campaign targeting certain areas.
“I would hope that the HSE will look at these figures and take action.”
Wexford had the second highest teen age pregnancy rate between 2008 and 2019 with 818 births over the 12-year period or 1,705 per 100,000 followed by Carlow with 285 or 1,636 per 100,000.
Louth was fourth at 642 or 1,520 per 100,000 while, with 5,493 teen births in 11 years, Dublin had the nation’s fifth highest rate per 100,000 of 1,420.
At the other end of the scale, Kilkenny had the lowest rate of babies born to teen mums last year with 10 births or 316 per 100,000.
Sligo was next with seven births, a rate of 331 per 100,000, followed by Mayo with 14 or 341 per 100,000.
news@irishmirror.ie
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