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SDG Target 3.7 Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes
Health consequences of adolescent pregnancy
Early pregnancies among adolescents have major health consequences for adolescent mothers and their babies. Adolescent mothers aged 10–19 years face higher risks of eclampsia, puerperal endometritis and systemic infections than women aged 20–24 years.
Early childbearing can increase risks for newborns as well as young mothers. Babies born to mothers under 20 years of age face higher risks of low birth weight, preterm delivery and severe neonatal conditions. In some settings, rapid repeat pregnancy
is a concern for young mothers, as it presents further health risks for both the mother and the child.
Social and economic consequences of adolescent pregnancy
Social consequences for unmarried pregnant adolescents may include stigma, rejection or violence by partners, parents and peers. Girls who become pregnant before the age of 18 years are more likely to experience violence within a marriage or partnership.
Adolescent pregnancy and childbearing often leads girls to drop out of school, although efforts are underway is some place to enable them to return to school after child birth, this may well jeopardize girls’ future education and employment
opportunities.
Overview of family planning and contraception methods
Ensuring access for all people to their preferred contraceptive methods advances several human rights including the right to life and liberty, freedom of opinion and expression and the right to work and education, as well as bringing significant
health and other benefits. It offers a range of potential non-health benefits that encompass expanded education opportunities and empowerment for women, and sustainable population growth and
economic development for countries.
Summary findings
Need for family planning
1.1 billion
Women of reproductive age (15-49) have a need for family planning
Needs met
77.5%
Of women have had their needs for modern contraceptive methods met in 2022
Unintended pregnancies
121 million
Unintended pregnancies among women of reproductive age occurred every year globally between 2015–2019
Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15–49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
GHO SDGFPALL MAP TEMPLATE
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Adolescent birth rate (aged 10–14 years; aged 15–19 years) per 1,000 women in that age group
GHO MDG_0000000003 Adolescent birth rate (per 1000 women aged 15-19 years) MAP TEMPLATE
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GHO MDG_0000000003 COUNTRY DOT PLOT TEMPLATE
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Maternal and reproductive health related indicators
Maternal and reproductive health - Adolescent birth rate
Family planning needs satisfied
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