Teen birth rates hit another historical low in 2025, CDC says
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- The U.S. teenage birth rate dropped by 7% in 2025, continuing a decades-long decline, with 126,000 babies born to mothers aged 15 to 19 and a rate of 11.7 births per 1,000 females, down from 61.8 per 1,000 in 1991.
- The overall U.S. birth rate also fell by 1% in 2025, while the cesarean delivery rate rose to 32.5%, the highest since 2013; preterm birth rates remained unchanged.
- The provisional report excludes birth data by race or ethnicity this year, though such data remain accessible via CDC's WONDER database; final comprehensive data will be published in August.
- Experts attribute the teen birth rate decline to factors such as reduced teen pregnancy, increased contraceptive use, lower sexual activity among youth, and continued access to abortion care.
- While the decline in teen births is generally positive, experts emphasize the need for ongoing support for teen parents through educational, social, and medical services to ensure their success and well-being.
