Mexico reduces teenage pregnancies by almost 50% in a decade

Mexico City.- Mexico has achieved a significant decrease in teenage pregnancies over the past decade . According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2023, 101,147 births were recorded to mothers between the ages of 10 and 17, representing a 47.3% reduction compared to the 192,070 cases reported in 2013.

This trend is also reflected in the birth rate: ten years ago, 7.75 out of every 100 births were to teenage mothers; in 2023, this figure decreased to 5.55 percent.

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Experts attribute this decline to several factors, including greater access to information about sexual and reproductive health, the influence of social media, and growing awareness about sexual and reproductive rights.

#MothersDay | In Mexico, 960 girls between the ages of 10 and 14 become mothers every month. Many of these pregnancies are the result of sexual abuse. https://t.co/m9SRjmYz9v

— Newsweek en Español (@NewsweekEspanol) May 10, 2025

Furthermore, participation in feminist movements has empowered young women to make informed decisions about their sexuality.

The National Strategy for the Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy (ENAPEA) has played a crucial role in this trend. Between 2015 and 2023, the Specific Adolescent Fertility Rate (TEFA) decreased by 22.9% for the 10- to 14-year-old group and by 30% for the 15- to 19-year-old group.

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Despite these advances, significant challenges remain. The State of Mexico led the number of births to teenage mothers in 2023, with 11,742 cases, followed by Chiapas (10,048), Puebla (6,705), Veracruz (6,613), and Jalisco (6,525).

Factors such as poverty, educational attainment, and sexual violence, especially in rural and indigenous communities, continue to be significant obstacles. Furthermore, the economic impact of teenage pregnancies is considerable, estimated at 76.34 billion pesos annually , representing 0.32% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

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The reduction in teenage pregnancies in Mexico is a notable advance, but more work remains to be done to address persistent inequalities and ensure that all young women have access to sexual and reproductive health education and services.

Authorities and social organizations continue working to consolidate these achievements and address the remaining challenges. With information from Milenio

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