Introduction

Teen birth rates in the United States have declined markedly in the past decades, both overall and for all race and Hispanic-origin groups (1). This decline has been attributed to both older age at first sex, less sexual activity among sexually experienced teen females, and greater use of effective contraception among sexually active teenagers (2–4). Most births to teenagers are first births, but some teenagers go on to have additional births while still in their teen years. As the number and rates of teen births have declined, declines in second and higher-order teen births have been less studied (5). Research has shown that a second child to support and care for makes it more difficult for teen mothers to attend high school or college and secure adequate employment (6,7). Having a second child further increases their and their children’s risk of poverty and is associated with a higher likelihood of adverse outcomes for the children of teen mothers, such as low birthweight, abuse and neglect, and infant homicide (7,8).

The level of change in second teen births affects overall teen birth rates, which vary by race and Hispanic origin for younger and older teenagers. Declines in the number and percentage of second teen births provide, in part, a signal of the success of efforts to prevent or postpone additional births until young women enter their twenties. Differences in these declines by race and Hispanic origin for younger and older teenagers provide some information on which groups have shown greater declines in second teen births.

This report primarily examines changes in the numbers, percentages, and rates of second and higher-order births to females younger than age 20 (15–17 and 18–19) between 2000 and 2022. These changes were examined for all teenagers and by maternal race and Hispanic origin (American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic [subsequently, American Indian and Alaska Native], Black non-Hispanic [subsequently, Black], White non-Hispanic [subsequently, White], and Hispanic).

Methods

Data for this analysis are from the National Center for Health Statistics National Vital Statistics System birth data files from 2000 to 2022 to describe changes in the 21st century to date. Birth certificate data are based on 100% of births registered in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. Analyses are limited to births to females younger than age 20. Live-birth order (subsequently, birth order) is defined as the total number of live-born infants to a woman, including the current birth, and is categorized as first births and second and higher-order births (subsequently, second births). Third and higher-order births, included in the second births category, accounted for less than 3% of teen births during the study period. Records with unknown birth order were excluded from the analyses; they accounted for 0.4% of teen births in 2000 and 0.2% in 2022.

For calculations of the number of births, teen births are defined as those born to females younger than age 20 (including births to females younger than age 15). Births to females younger than 15 were not analyzed separately due to small numbers (1.3% of teen births in 2022). The percentage of second births was calculated as the number of second teen births divided by the number of all teen births for all females younger than age 20 and ages 15–17 and 18–19. Teen birth rates were calculated as the number of births to females ages 15–19 divided by the population of females ages 15–19. Rates were calculated the same way for females ages 15–17 and 18–19. Population data for computing birth rates were provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and are based on populations enumerated as of April 1, 2000, and population estimates derived from a base that incorporates the 2020 census, vintage 2020 estimates, and 2020 demographic analysis estimates as of July 1, 2022 (9,10). Differences between the number of births in 2000 and 2022 noted in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level unless otherwise noted, based on a pairwise comparison using a two-tailed chi-square test. Differences between 2000 and 2022 rates noted in the text are statistically significant at the 0.05 level unless otherwise noted, based on a pairwise comparison using a two-tailed z test.

Hispanic origin and race are reported separately on the birth certificate. Data shown by Hispanic origin include all people of Hispanic origin of any race. Data for non-Hispanic people are shown separately by race group. For 2022, data by race are based on the revised standards issued by the Office of Management and Budget in 1997 and present single-race groups (11). For 2000, data by race are based on the 1977 Office of Management and Budget standards and present bridged-race groups (12). Differences between bridged-race and single-race groups are relatively small for the groups shown in this report (13). The race and Hispanic-origin groups shown in this report are: single- and bridged-race American Indian and Alaska Native, single- and bridged-race Black, single- and bridged-race White, and Hispanic. For brevity, text references to race omit the terms “single-race” and “bridged-race.” Asian and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander groups are not shown due both to small numbers of teen births that prevent statistical testing and changing definitions of these two groups from 2000 to 2022. These groups, as well as teenagers of more than one race, are included in the total population numbers shown in the Table.

Table

Female teen population and teen birth rate by live-birth order, age group, and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022

Results

Births to all teenagers

In 2000, there were 475,104 births to teenagers; in 2022, there were 145,313 births, a 69% decline (Table 1, Figure 1). During the same time period, the female teen population increased 7%. Teen birth rates declined 71% from 47.7 to 13.6 births per 1,000 teenagers (Table, Figure 2).

Table 1

Teen births, by live-birth order and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022

Figure 1

Number of teen births, by live-birth order: United States, 2000–2022. SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, natality data file.

Figure 2

Changes in first and second teen birth rate for teenagers ages 15–19, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022. ¹People of Hispanic origin may be of any race. NOTES: Numbers may not add to totals because of rounding. Total includes (more...)

The number of second births declined from 100,179 (2000) to 20,727 (2022), while first births declined from 374,925 to 124,586. Because of a greater percentage decline in the number of second teen births compared with first births, second teen births accounted for a lower percentage of all teen births in 2022 (14.3%) than in 2000 (21.1%). The first teen birth rate declined 69% from 37.5 to 11.7, while the second teen birth rate declined 80% from 10.2 to 2.0.

The number of all teen births, as well as first and second teen births, declined across all race and Hispanic-origin groups. For each group, the percentage decline in the number and rate of second teen births was greater than for first births.

All teen births to American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers declined 74%, from 7,417 in 2000 to 1,946 in 2022 (Table 1). During this time, the American Indian and Alaska Native female teen population decreased 19%. Birth rates declined 68% from 69.3 to 22.5 (Table, Figure 2). The percentage of second births declined from almost one in four (23.4%) births in 2000 to one in six (16.9%) births in 2022. The first teen birth rate decreased 65% from 52.8 to 18.7, while the second teen birth rate decreased 77% from 16.5 to 3.8.

All births to Black teenagers declined 75% from 119,377 in 2000 to 29,632 in 2022 (Table 1), while the Black female teen population declined 2% (Table). Overall, Black teen birth rates declined 74% from 79.2 to 20.3. The percentage of second births among Black teenagers declined from one-quarter (25.2%) in 2000 to almost one-sixth (15.6%) in 2022. The first birth rate among Black teenagers decreased 71% from 58.7 to 17.1, while the second birth rate decreased 84% from 20.6 to 3.2 (Table, Figure 2).

All births to White teenagers declined 76% from 205,173 in 2000 to 48,368 in 2022 (Table 1), as the White female teen population declined 16% (Table). Birth rates among White teenagers decreased 72% from 32.6 to 9.1. The percentage of second births declined from 17.4% to 13.1%. The first birth rate among White teenagers decreased 71% from 26.9 to 7.9, and the second birth rate declined 79% from 5.7 to 1.2 (Table, Figure 2).

All births to Hispanic teenagers declined 56% from 131,009 in 2000 to 57,256 in 2022 (Table 1), while the Hispanic female teen population increased 79% (Table). Hispanic teen birth rates declined 76% from 87.3 to 21.3. The percentage of second births declined from 23.2% to 14.6%. The first birth rate among Hispanic teenagers decreased 73% from 66.7 to 18.1, and the second birth rate decreased 85% from 20.6 to 3.1 (Table, Figure 2).

In 2000, first birth rates were highest among Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers (Table, Figure 2). In 2022, first birth rates were similar for American Indian and Alaska Native and Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers. In 2000, second birth rates were highest for Black and Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers. However, by 2022, second birth rates were highest for American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers and lowest for White teenagers. Second birth rates were also more similar by race and Hispanic-origin group in 2022, only ranging from 1.2 to 3.8 compared with 5.7 to 20.6 in 2000.

Births to younger teenagers (ages 15–17)

In 2022, there were 156,362 births to younger teenagers; in 2022, there were 35,359 births (Table 2). During the same time period, younger teen birth rates declined 79% from 26.9 to 5.6 (Table, Figure 3). The number of second births declined from 17,106 (2000) to 2,436 (2022), while first births declined from 139,256 to 32,923. Second teen births accounted for a lower percentage of all teen births in 2022 (6.9%) than in 2000 (10.9%). First birth rates among younger teenagers decreased 78% from 24.0 to 5.2, and second birth rates decreased 86% from 2.9 to 0.4.

Table 2

Births to younger teenagers ages 15–17, by live-birth order and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022

Figure 3

Changes in first and second birth rate for teenagers ages 15–17, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022. ¹People of Hispanic origin may be of any race. NOTES: Numbers may not add to totals because of rounding. Total includes (more...)

All births to younger teenagers, as well as first and second teen births, declined across all race and Hispanic–origin groups, although by different amounts (Table 2). For each group, the percentage decline in the number, percentage, and rate of second teen births was greater than for first births (Table, Figure 3). For first birth rates, this ranged from a 75% decline among younger American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers to an 82% decline among younger Hispanic teenagers. Decreases in second birth rates among younger teenagers ranged from 83% among American Indian and Alaska Native and White teenagers to 90% among Black teenagers and 91% among Hispanic teenagers.

In 2000, first birth rates were highest among younger Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers (Table, Figure 3). In 2022, first birth rates were more similar among younger American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers. In 2000, second birth rates were highest for younger Hispanic teenagers, followed by Hispanic and White teenagers. However, by 2022, second birth rates were similar for younger American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, and Hispanic teenagers and lowest for White teenagers. Second teen birth rates were also more similar by race and Hispanic-origin group in 2022, ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 compared with 1.2 to 6.8 in 2000.

Births to older teenagers (ages 18–19)

In 2000, there were 310,277 births to older teenagers; in 2022, there were 108,137 births, a 65% decline (Table 3). During the same time period, the population of females ages 18–19 increased 5%, while older teen birth rates declined 67% from 78.1 to 25.8 (Table, Figure 4). The number of second births declined from 82,918 (2000) to 18,238 (2022), while first births declined from 227,359 to 89,899. The percentage of second births declined from just over one in four (26.7%) in 2000 to one in six (16.9%) births in 2022. First birth rates among older teenagers decreased 63% from 57.2 to 21.4, and second birth rates decreased 79% from 20.9 to 4.3.

Table 3

Births to older teenagers ages 18–19, by live-birth order and race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022

Figure 4

Changes in first and second birth rate for teenagers ages 18–19, by race and Hispanic origin: United States, 2000 and 2022. ¹People of Hispanic origin may be of any race. NOTES: Numbers may not add to totals because of rounding. Total includes (more...)

All births to older teenagers, as well as first and second teen births, declined across all race and Hispanic-origin groups, though by different amounts (Table 3). For each group, the percentage decline in the number, percentage, and rate of second teen births was greater than for first births. For first birth rates, this ranged from a 58% decline among older American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers to a 66% decline among older White teenagers (Table). Decreases in second birth rates among older teenagers ranged from 76% among American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers to 82% among Hispanic teenagers and 83% among Black teenagers.

In 2000, first birth rates were highest among older Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers (Table). In 2022, first birth rates were highest among older American Indian and Alaska Native and Hispanic teenagers and lowest among White teenagers. In 2000, second birth rates were highest for older Black teenagers, followed by Hispanic teenagers, and lowest among White teenagers. By 2022, second birth rates were highest for older American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers and lowest for White teenagers. Second birth rates were also more similar by race and Hispanic-origin group in 2022, ranging from 2.7 to 8.5 compared with 12.4 to 40.7 in 2000.

Summary

Between 2000 and 2022, the number of second births to females under age 20, as well as births to both younger (ages 15–17) and older (ages 18–19) teenagers, declined more than the number of both first births and all teen births. Moreover, the percentage decline in the number of teen births was greater for second births than for either first births or all births. The percentage of second teen births declined by about one-third, and second teen birth rates decreased 80% compared with a 69% decrease in first teen birth rates from 2000 to 2022. These trends occurred while the female teen population grew 7%. The general declines in second teen birth numbers, percentages, and rates were found for each race and Hispanic-origin and age group.

The decline in the number of second teen births results from both the change in the number of first births, without which a second birth cannot occur, and the extent to which second teen births are avoided or postponed until age 20 or older. In turn, the number of first births is partially related to the teen population, that is, the size of the population eligible to have a teen birth, and how that changes over time.

Among teenagers overall, the decline in the number of first and second births, and consequently all teen births, was lower for Hispanic teenagers than for other teenagers and similar among American Indian and Alaska Native, Black, and White teenagers. Despite this, the decline in the percentage and rate of second teen births was highest for Hispanic and Black teenagers. This seeming contradiction is due to a 79% increase in the Hispanic female teen population from 2000 to 2022, while the size of the White and American Indian and Alaska Native teen populations declined and the Black teen population was almost unchanged (a 2% decline) (9,10). Consequently, the number of Hispanic teenagers who could potentially have a birth grew, while the percentage who actually had a birth declined, resulting in a 56% decline in the number of all births and a 76% decline in the rate of all births to Hispanic teenagers.

Among younger teenagers, declines in the number of second births across race and Hispanic-origin groups were comparable, but the decline in the number of first births and all births was markedly lower for Hispanic teenagers, although the decline in the rate tended to be the highest. This difference is likely a result of the 86% increase in the younger Hispanic female teen population from 2000 to 2022.

The race and Hispanic-origin comparisons for older teenagers are similar to those for younger teenagers although with some variation. The decline in the number of second births ranged from 70% for Hispanic teenagers to 84% for Black teenagers. Notably, in 2000, older Black and Hispanic teenagers had almost identical numbers of second births, but in 2022, Hispanic teenagers had 1.8 times as many second births as Black teenagers. This result is again due to the 69% increase in the number of older Hispanic teenagers; Black and Hispanic teenagers experienced nearly the same declines in older teen birth rates.

Among older teenagers, the difference between Hispanic teenagers and other groups in the decline in the number of first births and all teen births was greater than those differences for younger teenagers and for teenagers overall. However, declines in the percentage and rate of second births for Hispanic teenagers was similar to that of Black teenagers.

In conclusion, the results presented here—the decline in second teen births among all teenagers and across the race and Hispanic-origin groups analyzed in this report—reflect the declines in first births, changes in teen populations over time, and declines in the number and proportion of teenagers with a first birth who go on to have a second teen birth. Teenagers overall have experienced declines in the number, rate, and percentage of second births; these declines were greater than for first births. These declines are due to changes in teen sexual behavior that prevent or delay births and represent progress in both postponing parenthood and allowing teen parents to space additional births (14–16).

References

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Risley C, Douglas K, Karimi M, Brumfield J, Gartrell G, Vargas R, Zhang L. Trends in sexual risk behavioral responses among high school students between Mississippi and the United States: 2001 to 2019 YRBSS. J Sch Health 93(6):500–7. 2023. [PubMed: 36973577]

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National Center for Health Statistics

Brian C. Moyer, Ph.D., Director

Amy M. Branum, Ph.D., Associate Director for Science

Division of Vital Statistics

Paul D. Sutton, Ph.D., Director

Andrés A. Berruti, Ph.D., M.A., Associate Director for Science

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Driscoll AK, Ely DM, Hamilton BE. Changes in first and second births to U.S. teenagers from 2000 to 2022. National Vital Statistics Reports, vol 73 no 6. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2024. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15620/cdc/157007.