Good news!
However, notice that this study emphasises percentages over absolute numbers (number of girls). Despite sinking percentages, the absolute number might actually be higher in 2023 compared to 1990.
"A recent analysis of birth records and household survey data found that the global birth rate among girls aged 10–14 fell by 76 percent between 1990 and 2023, dropping from 4.5 annual births per 1,000 girls to 1.1.
Among girls aged 15–19, the rate fell by 48 percent, from 74.7 annual births per 1,000 girls to 39."
From the abstract:
"Abstract
Introduction
Reducing adolescent childbearing is essential for improving sexual and reproductive health and the social and economic well-being of adolescents. Adolescent birth rate is an indicator to monitor progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.7 by 2030, ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services. However, the availability and reliability of data on adolescent fertility rates are low.
Methods
We produce annual estimates of age-specific fertility rates (ASFR) for girls aged 10–14 and 15–19 from 1950 to 2023 for the world, regions and 201 countries and territories.
Based on a comprehensive ASFR database, we estimate the under-20 ASFR with a Bayesian hierarchical time series model, using covariates such as total fertility rates and female educational attainment and adjusting for biases and under-reporting. We calculate the number of births to adolescents by applying rates to the female population in the respective age groups.
Results
Between 1990 and 2023, global ASFR for girls aged 10–14 decreased by 76%, from 4.5 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) (4.1 to 5.2)) to 1.1 (95% UI 0.9 to 1.4) births per 1000, while ASFR for girls aged 15–19 fell by 48%, from 74.7 (95% UI 72.5 to 77.1) to 39.0 (95% UI 36.8 to 41.4) births per 1000.
In 2023, births to mothers aged 10–14 years were estimated at 347 (95% UI 285 to 454) thousand, and for those aged 15–19 years at 12.2 (95% UI 11.5 to 12.9) million.
The number of births among adolescents aged 15–19 in sub-Saharan Africa increased during 1990–2023 due to population growth and slower fertility declines.
Conclusion
Despite significant global reduction in adolescent childbearing, regional and national disparities persist. Targeted interventions addressing child marriage, educational inequities and lack of access to reproductive health services will be critical for achieving related SDG targets and advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment."
Levels and trends in fertility rates among adolescents aged 10–14 and 15–19 in 201 countries and areas from 1950 to 2023 (open access)
Figure 1. ASFR aged 10–14 (top) and 15–19 (bottom) in 2023. Median estimates are shown in the plot. Countries/areas in grey: estimates are not reported due to small populations or lack of data. ASFR, age-specific fertility rate.
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