NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics

Declines in State Teen Birth Rates by Race and 

Hispanic Origin

Brady E. Hamilton, Ph.D.; T.J. Mathews, M.S.; and Stephanie J. Ventura, M.A.

Key findings 

• Teen birth rates fell at least 

15% for all but two states 

during 2007–2011—the most 

recent period of sustained 

decline; rates fell 30% or more 

in seven states.

• Declines in rates were 

steepest for Hispanic teenagers, 

averaging 34% for the

United States, followed by 

declines of 24% for nonHispanic black teenagers and 

20% for non-Hispanic white 

teenagers.

• The long-term difference 

between birth rates for nonHispanic black and Hispanic 

teenagers has essentially 

disappeared, and by 2011 their 

rates were similar.

• Rates for Hispanic teenagers 

fell 40% or more in 22 states 

and the District of Columbia 

(DC); rates dropped at least 

30% in 37 states and DC.

Teen birth rates fell steeply in the United States from 2007 through 2011, 

resuming a decline that began in 1991 but was briefly interrupted in 2006 and 

2007. The overall rate declined 25% from 41.5 per 1,000 teenagers aged

15–19 in 2007 to 31.3 in 2011—a record low. The number of births to teenagers 

aged 15–19 also fell from 2007 to 2011, by 26% to 329,797 in 2011. Births to 

teenagers are at elevated risk of low birthweight, preterm birth, and of dying in 

infancy compared with infants born to women aged 20 and over (1–3), and they 

are associated with significant public costs, estimated at $10.9 billion annually 

(4). Recent trends by state and race and Hispanic origin are illustrated using the 

most current available data from the National Vital Statistics System.

Keywords: teen childbearing • geographic differences and trends • National 

Vital Statistics System

Birth rates for teenagers fell for all race and Hispanic origin 

groups from 1991 through 2011 with much of the decline 

from 2007 through 2011.

Figure 1. Birth rates for teenagers aged 15–19, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 1991, 

2007, and 2011

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System.

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Asian or

Pacific

Islander

American

Indian or 

Alaska Native

Non- Hispanic

Hispanic

black

NonHispanic

white

All races

Rate per 1,000 teenagers 

in specified group

61.8

41.5

31.3

43.4

27.2

21.8

118.2

62.0

47.4

104.6

75.3

49.4

84.1

49.3

36.2

27.3

14.8

10.2

1991 2007 2011
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  2  ■

• The overall teen birth rate dropped by almost one-half, from 61.8 per 1,000 teenagers aged 

15–19 to 31.3 (5) (Figure 1).

• The rates for non-Hispanic white, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) 

teenagers fell 50% or more during these two decades, while rates for non-Hispanic black 

and Asian or Pacific Islander (API) teenagers declined at least 60%.

• In the recent 2007–2011 period, the largest decline (34%) was reported for Hispanic 

teenagers.

• The rate for Hispanic teenagers was 21% higher than the rate for non-Hispanic black 

teenagers in 2007, but by 2011 the rate for Hispanic teenagers was just 4% higher.

Declines in teen birth rates from 2007 through 2011 were generally largest 

in the Southeast, Mountain and Pacific areas, and in the upper Midwest.

• Rates fell at least 30% in seven states during 2007–2011. Rates in Arizona and Utah 

declined the most, 35% each (Figure 2).

• The smallest declines, ranging from 15% to 19%, were reported for 12 states and the 

District of Columbia (DC).

• Changes were not significant in just two states—North Dakota and West Virginia.

CA

AK

HI

ID

WA

OR

NV

AZ

ND

SD

NE

TX

KS MO

IA

MN

IL IN

MS

FL

OH

MI

PA

MD

NJ

CT RI

MA

ME

VT

NH

MT

WY

UT

CO

NM

WI

DC

NY

SC

NC

GA

VA

U.S. rate declined 25%.

AL

KY

WV

TN

Figure 2. Percent change in birth rates for all teenagers aged 15–19, by state: United States, 2007 and 2011

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 2 at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db123_table.pdf.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System.

LA

OK AR

Less than 20% decline

20%–29% decline

30%–39% decline

No significant change

DE
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  3  ■

Birth rates for non-Hispanic white teenagers fell at least 20% in 30 states 

from 2007 through 2011.

• The overall birth rate for non-Hispanic white teenagers dropped 20% from 2007 through 

2011 (Figure 3).

• Rates fell by 20% or more in 30 states that were generally located in the Pacific and 

Mountain areas and scattered in other sections of the country.

• Declines ranging from 10% to 19% were reported for states scattered in the Midwest and 

Northeast. Changes were not significant in North Dakota and West Virginia.

• Among the 14 states with the largest declines in non-Hispanic white teenage birth rates, 6 

had rates above the U.S. rate for this group (21.8 per 1,000).

CA

AK

HI

ID

WA

OR

NV

AZ

ND

SD

NE

TX

KS MO

IA

MN

IL IN

MS

FL

OH

MI

PA

MD

NJ

CT RI

MA

ME

VT

NH

MT

WY

UT

CO

NM

WI NY

SC

NC

GA

VA

U.S. rate declined 20%.

AL

KY

WV

TN

Figure 3. Percent change in birth rates for non-Hispanic white teenagers aged 15–19, by state: United States, 2007

and 2011

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 3 at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db123_table.pdf.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System.

LA

Less than 20% decline

20%–29% decline

30%–39% decline

No significant change

Not applicable

OK AR

DE

DC
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  4  ■

The largest declines in birth rates for non-Hispanic black teenagers—30% 

or more—occurred in eight states from 2007 through 2011.

• Declines of 20% or more were reported for non-Hispanic black teenagers during 2007–2011 

in 34 states located in the Southwest, upper Midwest, and Southeast (Figure 4).

• In states with at least 100 births to non-Hispanic black teenagers, the largest declines, 

between 41% and 50%, were observed for Minnesota, Nebraska, and Rhode Island.

• The 21 states with the largest rate declines included only 6 states with rates above the U.S. 

average—47.4 per 1,000 for this group.

• Changes were not significant in DC, Hawaii, Maine, and West Virginia.

CA

AK

HI

ID

WA

OR

NV

AZ

ND

SD

NE

TX

KS MO

IA

MN

IL IN

MS

FL

OH

MI

PA

MD

NJ

CT RI

MA

ME

VT

NH

MT

WY

UT

CO

NM

WI NY

SC

NC

GA

VA

U.S. rate declined 24%.

AL

KY

WV

TN

Figure 4. Percent change in birth rates for non-Hispanic black teenagers aged 15–19, by state: United States, 2007 

and 2011

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 4 at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db123_table.pdf.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System.

LA

Less than 20% decline

20%–29% decline

30%–39% decline

40% percent or more decline

No significant change

Not applicable

OK AR

DE

DC
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  5  ■

Declines in birth rates among Hispanic teenagers were the largest of any 

group, with rates falling by at least 40% in 22 states and DC.

• Rates fell 40% or more for Hispanic teenagers in 22 states and DC from 2007 through 2011 

(Figure 5).

• The largest declines were measured mainly in the Southeast and a few states in other regions.

• Declines amounted to at least 25% in all but five states where the changes were not 

significant or could not be calculated.

• Six of the 10 states with the largest declines in birth rates for Hispanic teenagers were states 

with rates well above the national rate—49.4 births per 1,000 women aged 15–19 for this 

group.

CA

AK

HI

ID

WA

OR

NV

AZ

ND

SD

NE

TX

KS MO

IA

MN

IL IN

MS

FL

OH

MI

PA

MD

DE

NJ

CT RI

MA

ME

VT

NH

MT

WY

UT

CO

NM

WI

DC

NY

SC

NC

GA

VA

U.S. rate declined 34%.

AL

KY

WV

TN

Figure 5. Percent change in birth rates for Hispanic teenagers aged 15–19, by state: United States, 2007 and 2011

NOTE: Access data table for Figure 5 at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db123_table.pdf.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Vital Statistics System.

LA

20%–29% decline

30%–39% decline

40% percent or more decline

No significant change

Not applicable

OK AR

Summary

The recent declines in teen childbearing are sustained, widespread, and broad-based. If teen 

birth rates by age and race and Hispanic origin of mother had remained at their 1991 levels, an 

estimated 3.6 million more births to teenagers would have occurred from 1992 through 2011 

(6,7). The declines in teen birth rates have been attributed to a number of factors, including 

strong teen pregnancy prevention messages (8–10). The latest data from the National Survey of 

Family Growth show increased use of contraception at first sex and the use of dual methods of 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  6  ■

contraception (that is, condoms and hormonal methods) among sexually active female and male 

teenagers (11). Recent data from the Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance Survey also show wide 

variation across states in the extent to which sexually active teenagers are using the most effective 

methods of contraception (12).

The three largest population groups experienced declines in their teen birth rates of 20% to 34% 

at the national level from 2007 through 2011. Birth rates also are down significantly for API and 

AIAN teenagers, though small numbers preclude analysis of changes by state for these groups. 

Despite this substantial impact, the U.S. teen birth rate remains one of the highest among Western 

countries (13).

The race and Hispanic origin-specific birth rates by state and the population composition of 

states by race and Hispanic origin both contribute to state variations in the teen birth rate as well 

as to variations in the trends. Historically, U.S. birth rates have been higher for Hispanic and 

non-Hispanic black teenagers than for non-Hispanic white teenagers. Thus, states with large 

proportions of Hispanic or non-Hispanic black teenagers would be expected to have higher 

overall teen birth rates. These patterns might also be expected to influence the recent trends in 

rates by race and Hispanic origin across states. Previous reports have explored the variations in 

rates across states within race and Hispanic groups (6,14,15). This report shows the extent to 

which declines in birth rates by race and Hispanic origin have varied across states. In general, 

declines have been widespread across all states, with the largest declines generally observed in 

the Southeast, Mountain, and Pacific states.

Definition

Teen birth rate: The number of births to women aged 15–19 per 1,000 women aged 15–19 (or 

teen subgroup).

Data sources and methods

This report contains data from the Natality Data File from the National Vital Statistics System. 

The vital statistics natality file includes information for all births occurring in the United States. 

The natality files include information on a wide range of maternal and infant demographic and 

health characteristics for babies born in the United States. The natality files are available from 

the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) at 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_access/VitalStatsOnline.htm. Data for 2010 and earlier years may 

also be accessed from the interactive data access tool, VitalStats, at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/

VitalStats.htm.

Birth rates for teenagers for 2011 are based on preliminary birth data. Information on the 2011 

data is available elsewhere (5). Population data for computing birth rates for 2011 were provided 

by the U.S. Census Bureau and are projected based on the April 1, 2010 census (16). Rates for 

2007 are based on newly released and revised intercensal population estimates based on the 2000 

and 2010 censuses (1,16). These rates may differ from the intercensal rates published in “Births: 

Final Data for 2010,” the original rates published in “Births: Final Data for 2009,” and earlier 

reports that were based on 2000 postcensal population estimates. See the forthcoming report 

“Births: Final Data for 2011” for more information on the revised rates (17). Rates by state shown 
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

■  7  ■

here may differ from rates computed on the basis of other population estimates (1). Note that birth 

rates by state are not shown for groups with fewer than 20 births in the numerator.

About the authors

Brady E. Hamilton, T.J. Mathews, and Stephanie J. Ventura are with NCHS’ Division of Vital 

Statistics, Reproductive Statistics Branch.

References

1. Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ, et al. Births: Final data for 2010. National vital statistics 

reports; vol 61 no 1. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

2. Martin JA, Osterman MJK, Sutton PD. Are preterm births on the decline in the United States? 

Recent data from the National Vital Statistics System. NCHS data brief, no 39. Hyattsville, MD: 

National Center for Health Statistics. 2010.

3. Mathews TJ, MacDorman MF. Infant mortality statistics from the 2009 period linked birth/

infant death data set. National vital statistics reports; vol 61 no 8. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2013.

4. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Counting it up: The 

public costs of teen childbearing: Key data. Available from: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/

costs/pdf/counting-it-up/key-data.pdf.

5. Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. Births: Preliminary data for 2011. National vital 

statistics reports; vol 61 no 5. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2012.

6. Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ. Birth rates for U.S. teenagers reach historic lows for all age and 

ethnic groups. NCHS data brief, no 89. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

2012.

7. Hamilton BE, Hoyert DL, Martin JA, Strobino DM, Guyer B. Annual summary of vital 

statistics: 2010–2011. Pediatrics 131(3):548–58. 2013.

8. National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. National data. Available from: 

http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/national-data/default.aspx.

9. Kirby D. Emerging answers 2007: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy 

and sexually transmitted diseases. National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

10. Oringanje C, Meremikwu MM, Eko H, Esu E, Meremikwu A, Ehiri JE. Interventions for 

preventing unintended pregnancies among adolescents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 7(4):

CD005215. 2009.

11. Martinez G, Copen CE, Abma JC. Teenagers in the United States: Sexual activity, 

contraceptive use, and childbearing, 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. National 

Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 23(31). 2011.
NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 123 ■ May 2013

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12. Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance—

United States, 2011. MMWR Surveill Summ 61(4). 2012.

13. United Nations Statistics Division. Demographic yearbook 2009–2010. 

Available from: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/

dyb2009-2010.htm.

14. Mathews TJ, Sutton PD, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ. State disparities in 

teenage birth rates in the United States. NCHS data brief, no 46. Hyattsville, 

MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2010.

15. Ventura SJ, Hamilton BE. U.S. teenage birth rate resumes decline. NCHS 

data brief, no 58. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 

2011.

16. National Center for Health Statistics. U.S. census populations with 

bridged race categories. Postcensal estimates of the resident population 

of the United States for July 1, 2011 and national intercensal estimates of 

the resident population of the United States for July 1, 2000–July 1, 2009, 

by year, county, single year of age, bridged race, Hispanic origin, and sex. 

Prepared under a collaborative arrangement with the U.S. Census Bureau. 

Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm.

17. Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ, et al. Births: Final data for 2011. 

[Forthcoming]. For e-mail updates on NCHS publication 

releases, subscribe online at: 

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/govdelivery.htm.

For questions or general information

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Suggested citation

Hamilton BE, Mathews TJ, Ventura SJ. 

Declines in state teen birth rates by race and 

Hispanic origin. NCHS data brief, no 123. 

Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health 

Statistics. 2013.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., Acting Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Delton Atkinson, M.P.H., M.P.H., P.M.P., 

Acting Director

Tel: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)

TTY: 1–888–232–6348

Internet: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs

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cdc-info/requestform.html

ISSN 1941–4927 Print ed.

ISSN 1941–4935 Online ed.

DHHS Publication No. 2013–1209

CS240076