Pregnancy News: National Teen Pregnancy, Abortions Rates Reach Historic Low, Study Says

The nation's rates of teen pregnancies and abortions have both reached levels of historic lows according to a study conducted by the Guttmacher Institute. These results come from an analysis of data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Guttmacher Institute, which is the former research arm of pro-abortion Planned Parenthood, has revealed in a new report that the number of teen pregnancies got a historic low for more than three decades in 2011. Moreover, the number of teen pregnancies that end up in abortion also dramatically decreased to reach an all-time historic low since Roe v. Wade made it legal in 1973.

Historic Lows

The report shows that in 2011, some 562,000 women 20 years and below became pregnant. Of these, about 553,000 were teens aged 15 to 19, and almost 10,000 were 14 and below. While the number sounds high, it was found that the pregnancy rate was only 52.4 per 1000 women, indicating that only 5 percent of teens became pregnant that year.

These numbers are very low compared to earlier years. Between 2008 and 2011, there were about 68.2 pregnancies per 1000 women. In 1990, on the other hand, there were 117.6 pregnancies per 1000 women.

Teenage abortion in 2011 was reported low, with only 13.5 abortions per 1000 women. This is 69 percent lower than its peak in 1988, when there were 44 abortions per 1000 women, and is the lowest since 1973.

The findings also note that while the number of teens getting pregnant dramatically dropped, the number of pregnant teens who decide to not have an abortion has also increased.

Pro-Life

While the report said that the declines might have been caused by increased access to contraceptives, pro-lifers believe that this is caused by an increased level of pro-life education as well as the amount of support available for moms and babies, reports Life News. And with the combined efforts of pro-life laws, pro-life groups, pregnancy centers and efforts in educating the general public, the U.S. now enjoys a lower rate of abortion.