By The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing

2 The Numbers One in three teens becomes pregnant by age 20. That is 750,000 pregnancies/year 50% or adolescents who have a baby become pregnant again within two years of the baby’s birth. Higher teen pregnancy and birth rates than comparable countries. Recent data show declines in teen birth rates are slowing.

3 Teen Pregnancy’s Link to Poverty and Other Social Issues What are the chances of a child growing up in poverty if his/her mother: (1) gave birth as a teen, (2) was unmarried when the child was born, and (3) did not receive a high school diploma or GED? 27% if one of these things happen. 42% if two of these things happen. 64% if three of these things happen. If none of these things happen, a child’s chance of growing up in poverty is 7%. A child born to a teen mother who has not finished high school and is not married is nine times more likely to be poor than a child born to an adult who has finished high school and is married. Source: Why It Matters, National Campaign

4 Teen Pregnancy is linked to school failure. Half of all single mothers on welfare were teenagers when they had there first child. Nearly 80% of the fathers of babies born to teen moms do not marry their babies’ mothers. On average these absent fathers pay less than $800 annually for child support. Girls born to teen mothers are 22% more likely to to become mothers as teens themselves and sons of teen mothers are more likely to end up in jail.

5 Consequences of Teen Pregnancy Only 40% of young teen mothers graduate from high school. Teen fathers earn less than older fathers (20-21). Compared to children born to older mothers (20-21 years old), children born to teen moms are more likely to: to drop out of high school. to use Medicaid to experience abuse/neglect. to enter the foster care system. to end up in prison (sons).

The Costs of Teen Childbearing

7 There were approximately 6.8 million teen births in the United States between 1991 and The estimated cumulative public costs of teen childbearing during this time period are $161 billion. National Findings: Cumulative Costs and Savings

8 Costs for the Children of Teen Mothers Children of teen mothers are more likely to: Have decreased educational attainment Earn less money Suffer high rates of child abuse and neglect Grow up poor Live in single-parent households Enter the child-welfare system Become teen mothers themselves

9 Cumulative Costs and Savings For more information:

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