Teen pregnancies fall to record low as ‘sensible generation’ shun drink

SCOTLAND’S teenage pregnancy rate has dropped to a record low because of less underage drinking and the rise of online relationships.

There were 3,300 teenage pregnancies in 2020 – a rate of 23.9 per 1,000 women under 20 years old.

Rates have fallen steadily from a high of 9,362 in 2007 – 57.7 per 1,000 – when Scotland had one of the highest rates in western Europe.

The figures, which were published yesterday by Public Health Scotland, pointed to evidence that today’s teenagers, dubbed Generation Sensible, are more focused on their education and careers than previous generations, and socialise more online rather than in person.

The evidence, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS), said: ‘The significant decline in high levels of alcohol consumption, which a number of studies, our research and young people themselves all link to sexual activity, together with this dramatic change in teenagers’ lifestyles and patterns of socialising, may well be the strongest factors that have pushed teenage conception rates to the record low.

‘This new so-called Generation Sensible is one which is firmly focused on their education and careers.’

In 2019, the teenage pregnancy rate was 27.7 per 1,000, a total of 3,814 pregnancies.

The statistics cover pregnancies in women under the age of 20, regardless of whether the pregnancy ended in a birth, miscarriage or abortion.

Women’s Health Minister Maree Todd said: ‘I am pleased to see that the rates of pregnancy in young people across Scotland have continued to reduce for the 13th year in a row.

‘The ongoing dedication and support of community, health and education services means rates are at their lowest level since reporting began in 1994.’

The report also showed teenage pregnancy rates have fallen rapidly in the most deprived areas, which has helped to narrow the gap between the most and least deprived areas.

However, in 2020, those living in the areas of highest deprivation still had teenage pregnancy rates five times higher than those in the most affluent areas – 44.9 per 1,000 women. For the first time, in 2019, under-20s were more likely to have a termination than a delivery and this continued in 2020.

In 2020, the delivery rate for under-20s was 11.9 per 1,000 women and the termination rate was 12.

In line with decreasing numbers of teenage pregnancies, both rates dropped slightly from the previous year.

A BPAS spokesman said: ‘The significant decline in teenage conception rates over the last decade is to be welcomed.

‘Undoubtedly good quality, holistic education, with accessible contraceptive services, can help young people to make informed decisions to protect themselves against unplanned pregnancy, but we have also seen a change in teenage lifestyles over the last decade, with fewer young people engaging in binge drinking and social relationships being conducted online rather than in person.

‘These shifts may also be reflected in today’s figures, alongside, of course, the fact that in 2020 many young people were largely confined to school and family homes – hardly places which are conducive to engaging in activity which might lead to pregnancy.’

‘Focus on education and their careers’