Adolescent pregnancies can be prevented if the sexual and reproductive rights of young people are protected

Each year, more than 1.6 million adolescents give birth in Latin America and the Caribbean, which means one birth every 20 seconds. This situation truncates millions of lives and crushes dreams under the weight of adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood.

Latin America and the Caribbean remains the second region in the world with the highest adolescent fertility rate, only after Sub-Saharan Africa, with 50.6 births per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19 (the global rate is 41).

UNFPA has analyzed the socioeconomic consequences of adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood in the region. In 15 countries, the estimated cost of adolescent pregnancy and early motherhood is USD 15.3 billion.

The findings show that women who had their first child in adolescence find it much more difficult to access higher education. Their access to the labor market is often more informal and precarious. As a result, lower levels of schooling and work experience affect their labor income. Adult mothers earn up to 3 times what mothers who had their first child in adolescence earn, depending on the country.

Additionally, the risks of maternal mortality increase exponentially among pregnant adolescents. For them, the risk of dying during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum is four times higher.

Adolescent pregnancy perpetuates inequality

Latin America and the Caribbean is the most unequal region in the world. One of the saddest faces of inequality is that of a pregnant adolescent who will not be able to continue her studies or provide a future with opportunities for her child. Adolescent pregnancy reproduces cycles of poverty and violence.

The risk of becoming pregnant during adolescence disproportionately affects indigenous and Afro-descendant girls, those from rural or remote areas, and those from low-income communities. For example, Afro-descendant adolescents are 50% more likely to become mothers than their non-Afro-descendant peers.

In the most left-behind communities, taboos, silences, and social norms make it difficult for adolescents to receive comprehensive sexuality education, culturally relevant health services, and options to make their life plans a reality. In UNFPA, we work to reach all places, empower adolescents, and promote the guarantee of sexual and reproductive rights, with projects, programs, and campaigns adapted to each context.

The solutions are in our hands

All countries in the region have taken measures to reduce adolescent pregnancies. It has been shown that it is possible to achieve progress. In the last 15 years, the adolescent fertility rate in the region has decreased by 32%. However, the pace of reduction slowed during the pandemic and has not recovered.

It is now necessary to take action to accelerate progress and not lose development opportunities for the region. Those countries with national strategies that articulate various sectors, use data and evidence, allocate sufficient resources in a timely and sustained manner, involve adolescents in actions, and focus on communities in conditions of greater vulnerability have achieved convincing results in a few years.

We have data, evidence, and experience that show us that reducing adolescent pregnancy is a good economic and investment policy. We know what works; what we need is the commitment of all sectors of society and to make the reduction of adolescent pregnancy a priority, a common cause.

Some of the key measures that have proven effective in the region include:

• Creating laws that prohibit child marriage and early unions.
• Promoting the participation and empowerment of adolescents.
• Ensuring access to evidence-based information on sexuality.
• Guaranteeing informed access to quality sexual and reproductive health services adapted to the needs of adolescents, including modern contraceptive methods, especially long-acting ones.

The benefits of preventing adolescent pregnancy not only translate into economic savings but also into an improvement in the quality of life and opportunities for adolescents and their children. With comprehensive investments, between USD 15 and USD 40 can be obtained for every dollar invested, depending on the country. It is crucial that governments, civil society, the private sector, and multilateral organizations work together and prioritize the prevention of adolescent pregnancy, implementing sustainable and results-based financing strategies.