MEDIA RELEASE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

Teen births on the way down in New Zealand

The proportion of births to teenage mums has reached the lowest percentage ever recorded.

This is one of the findings of the latest research from the Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu, formerly known as the Families Commission). The research, released today and based on 2013 data, shows that:

• The proportion of all births that are teen births reached 5.9%, which is the lowest percentage ever recorded.
• The age at which teen birth occurs has increased. Almost three-quarters of all teen births were to 18 and 19 year olds.The decrease in birth rates is shared across most regions, with the exception of Northland. The Wellington and Taranaki regions have experienced the largest decreases.
• The Maori teen birth rate is decreasing but remains higher than the national average.
• A reduction in teenage pregnancy is also evident in the declining teenage abortion rate, which halved between 2007 and 2013.
• Clare Ward, Superu Chief Executive, says that New Zealand has a high teen birth rate compared to other OECD countries.

“We are second only to the USA in the latest figures, but the numbers are heading down, which is the right direction,” says Ms Ward.

“The evidence shows us that teen births are associated with poor educational and social outcomes for some teen parents and their children, so it’s encouraging that the percentage of teen births is decreasing.”

Ms Ward says that the research is being shared with policymakers in Government who are working on improving outcomes for teen parents, and on improving the sexual and reproductive health of young people.

“We want this information to be used so the social sector can make better decisions – about funding, policies or services – to improve the lives of families and whānau,” says Ms Ward.

The research was produced by the University of Waikato for Superu.

ENDS

Teen_births_fact_sheet_FINAL.pdf

About Superu
The Social Policy Evaluation and Research Unit (Superu) is the operating name for the Families Commission. Our purpose is to increase the use of evidence by people across the social sector so that they can make better decisions – about funding, policies or services – to improve the lives of families and whānau.

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