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By The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing

By The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen Childbearing

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This Presentation Will Cover:This Presentation Will Cover:This Presentation Will Cover:This Presentation Will Cover:

Why Care?

The Costs of Teen Childbearing

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Why Care? Why Care?

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We’ve Made ProgressWe’ve Made ProgressNational Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1972-2002National Teen Pregnancy Rates, 1972-2002(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)(number of pregnancies per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

After increasing 23 percent between 1972 and 1990 (including 10 percent between 1987 and 1990), the teen pregnancy rate for girls (15-19) decreased 36 percent between 1990 and 2002 to a record low.

111.0

95.1

106.6

91.4

116.9

75.470

75

80

85

90

95

100

105

110

115

120

1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

The Alan Guttmacher Institute. (2006). U.S. Teenage Pregnancy Statistics National and State Trends and Trends by Race and Ethnicity. New York, NY: The Alan Guttmacher Institute.

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More to Feel Good AboutMore to Feel Good AboutNational Teen Birth Rates, 1940-2005National Teen Birth Rates, 1940-2005(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)(number of births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19)

40.4

61.8

50.2

96.3

54.1

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005*

From 1940 to 1957, the teen birth rate increased 78% to a record high. The birth rate dropped fairly steadily from the end of the 1950s through the mid-1980s, but then increased 23% between 1986 and 1991. Between 1991 and 2005*, the teen birth rate decreased 35% to a record low of 40.4 in 2005. *Data for 2005 are preliminary.

Ventura, S.J., Mathews, T.J, & Hamilton, B.E. (2001). Births to Teenagers in the United States: 1940-2000. National Vital Statistics Reports, 49(10).; Hamilton, B.E., Martin, J.A., & Ventura, S.J. (2006). Preliminary Data for 2005. Health E-Stats. Released November 21, 2006.

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But There is More Work to DoBut There is More Work to DoBut There is More Work to DoBut There is More Work to Do

One in three teens becomes pregnant by age 20.

One-quarter of teen parents have a second child before they turn 20.

Higher teen pregnancy and birth rates than comparable countries.

Recent data show declines in teen birth rates are slowing.

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Teen Pregnancy’s Link to Poverty and Teen Pregnancy’s Link to Poverty and Other Social IssuesOther Social Issues

Teen Pregnancy’s Link to Poverty and Teen Pregnancy’s Link to Poverty and Other Social IssuesOther 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

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Consequences of Teen PregnancyConsequences of Teen PregnancyConsequences of Teen PregnancyConsequences 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 and SCHIP. to experience abuse/neglect. to enter the foster care system. to end up in prison (sons).

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The Costs of Teen Childbearing

The Costs of Teen Childbearing

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Why We Did This AnalysisWhy We Did This AnalysisWhy We Did This AnalysisWhy We Did This Analysis

A classic example of offering many ways to see the importance of teen pregnancy: human face effect on mother effect on child poverty, welfare dependence, etc. taxpayer cost

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An OverviewAn OverviewBy The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen By The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen

ChildbearingChildbearing

An OverviewAn OverviewBy The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen By The Numbers: The Public Costs of Teen

ChildbearingChildbearing

Project goal: Measure the costs that could be averted if teen mothers, 19 and younger, delay their first birth to 20-21 years old. What is the impact on the young mother and her child’s

subsequent life outcomes and what does this cost taxpayers?

Both national and state-specific cost estimates have been measured.

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Costs Included in the AnalysisCosts Included in the AnalysisCosts Included in the AnalysisCosts Included in the Analysis

Costs linked to teen moms Public assistance Lost tax revenue

Costs linked to the children of teen parents Lost tax revenue Public Health Care Incarceration of sons Child welfare

Costs linked to teen fathers Lost tax revenue

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National FindingsNational FindingsNational FindingsNational Findings

Teen childbearing costs taxpayers at least $9.1 billion annually. Total cost breakdown is $8.6 billion for 17 and younger

and $0.5 billion for 18-19 year olds.

Average annual public sector cost associated with a child born to a mother aged 17 and younger is $4,080.

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National FindingsNational FindingsNational FindingsNational Findings

Most of the costs of teen childbearing are associated with negative consequences for the children of teen mothers and include: $1.9 billion for increased public sector health care costs $2.3 billion for increased child welfare costs $2.1 billion for increased costs for state prison systems

(among adult sons of teen mothers) $2.9 billion in lost tax revenue due to lower taxes paid by the

children of teen mothers over their own adult lifetimes.

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National Findings: National Findings: Cumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and Savings

National Findings: National Findings: Cumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and Savings

Between 1991 and 2004, there have been more than 6.7 million teen births in the US. This cost taxpayers a total of $161 billion between 1991 and

2004.

The one-third decline in the teen birth rate between 1991 and 2004 yielded substantial cost savings. Taxpayers saved $6.7 billion in 2004 alone.

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There were approximately 6.8 million teen births in the United States between 1991 and 2004. The estimated cumulative public costs of teen childbearing during this

time period are $161 billion.

National Findings: National Findings: Cumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and Savings

National Findings: National Findings: Cumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and Savings

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Costs for the Children of Costs for the Children of Teen MothersTeen 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

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Cumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and SavingsCumulative Costs and Savings

For more information: www.teenpregnancy.org/costs

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What Can You Do?What Can You Do?What Can You Do?What Can You Do?

Recognize the problem isn’t solved.

Help parents.

Support proven teen pregnancy interventions.

Support youth programs more broadly.

Set a goal.

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Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!

Please visit our website at

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