Teenage pregnancy numbers drop 45% in a decade to a record low

Teenage pregnancies in Scotland have fallen to the lowest level since records began, new figures have revealed.

There were a total of 4,622 pregnancies recorded in 2016, down from a peak of 9,362 in 2007. A total of 243 girls under the age of 16 became pregnant in 2016, including 16 who were less than 14 years old.

Across Scotland it is the ninth year in a row that teenage pregnancies have fallen, based on NHS data. The pregnancy rate for females under 20 is now down to 31.6 per 1,000 women in 2016.

The teenage pregnancy rate 0 Joe Fitzpatrick applauds the drop in teenage pregnancies has now fallen by 45.1 per cent since 2007, with bigger drops recorded for under-18s and under-16s of 55 per cent and 60.6 per cent respectively.

In the most deprived parts of Scotland, there were 1,765 teenage pregnancies recorded in 2016 compared to just 364 in the most affluent areas.

However, the statistics revealed while teenage pregnancy rates have reduced across all levels of deprivation in recent years, rates in the most deprived areas have fallen more.

The figures also showed Scotland had a lower proportion of teenage pregnancies than England and Wales.

Public health minister Joe Fitzpatrick said: “This reflects the dedicated work of staff in health, education and community services in giving young people more advice, support and choice.”