Birth Rate for U.S. Teens is Lowest in History

April 13, 2012

A new federal data report released this week shows teen births are at their lowest level in almost 70 years, USA Today reports. The teen birth rate dropped 9 percent from 2009 to 2010 to a historic low of 34.3 births per 1,000 teens -- down 44 percent from 61.8 in 1991. The decline was seen in all racial and ethnic groups. According to Sarah Brown, CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, "young people are being more careful." She attributes the decline to less sex and the increased use of contraception. The National Center for Health Statistics credited "strong pregnancy prevention messages" and says contraceptive use "may have contributed."