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Teenage Birth Rate

Indicator #19: Teenage Birth Rate

Indicator 19: Birth rate for females age 15–19, expressed as a rate per 1,000 females.

 

Jump to Figure Notes and Sources

 

Key Messages

  • Evidence shows that the teenage pregnancy rate in Canada has been decreasing since the mid-1970s,1 and BC has one of the lowest teenage birth rates in Canada.2
  • Teenage pregnancy is associated with a variety of poor physical health outcomes for both mother and baby, as well as risk of educational underachievement and poorer economic status.1
  • Figure 19.1 shows a substantial decrease in births by females age 15 - 19 over the 25-year period of 1989 to 2013, and a rate of 7.4  per 1,000 population  in 2013.
  • Figure 19.2 reveals a large geographic difference between the health authority areas for births by females age 15 - 19, with Vancouver Coastal Health having the lowest rate (2.9 per 1,000 population) and Northern Health having the highest—a rate that is almost five times higher (14.0 per 1,000).

 

Figure Notes and Sources

Figure 19.1

Note: The rate numerator includes BC live birth counts for all multiplicities for mothers age 15-19, and the rate denominator includes the total regional female population age 15-19.

Data sources: BC Vital Statistics Agency, 1989 to 2013 data. Population denominators for females age 15-19 are from the BC Stats website. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 19.2

Notes: The rate numerator includes BC live birth counts for all multiplicities for mothers age 15-19, and the rate denominator includes the total regional female population age 15-19. Health authority is based on the residence of the child.

Data sources: BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2011-2013 data. Population denominators for females age 15-19 are from the BC Stats website. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.
 

Figure 19.3

Notes: The rate numerator includes BC live birth counts for all multiplicities for mothers age 15-19, and the rate denominator includes the total regional female population age 15-19. Health service delivery area is based on the residence of the child.

Data sources: BC Vital Statistics Agency, 2011-2013 data. Population denominators for females age 15-19 are from the BC Stats website. Prepared by the Surveillance and Epidemiology Team, BC Office of the Provincial Health Officer, 2016.

 

References

  1. H. Krueger & Associates. Child and youth health and well-being indicators project: appendix F – physical health and well-being evidence review [prepared for the Office of the Provincial Health Officer and the Canadian Institute for Health Information]. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Institute for Health Information; 2011.
  2. Statistics Canada. Births 2009 [Catalogue no. 84F0210X]. Ottawa, ON: Minister of Industry; 2012 Jan [cited 2016 Jul 14]. Available from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/84f0210x/84f0210x2009000-eng.pdf.