Executive Summary

Definition and Scale of the Issue

Teenage pregnancy is defined as pregnancy occurring in girls aged 10 to 19 years and is a significant global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Annually, an estimated 21 million pregnancies occur among adolescents aged 15 to 19, with around 50% being unintended. In Sri Lanka, teenage pregnancies have declined from 6.5% in 2009 to 3.8% in 2023. However, regional disparities remain, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address specific local challenges. Furthermore, anecdotal evidence suggests an increase in cohabiting young and adolescent couples and teenage pregnancies that are not fully captured by existing data, indicating a need for further investigation into the contributing factors.

Consequences and Policy Relevance

Teenage pregnancies carry significant health risks for both the mother and child, including maternal anaemia, hypertensive disorders, poor fetal growth and low birth weight. Socioeconomic factors like school dropout, economic hardships, limited access to healthcare and limited job opportunities increase the vulnerability to early pregnancies. Conversely, teenage pregnancy exacerbates these challenges, creating a cyclical pattern that perpetuates poverty. Preventing adolescent pregnancies in Sri Lanka is crucial for lowering maternal mortality, promoting gender equality, and enhancing adolescent well-being, and policymakers must focus on preventing and addressing the socio-economic impacts associated with teenage pregnancies.

Analysis of Trends and Determinants

Despite progress in reducing teenage pregnancy rates in Sri Lanka, certain districts continue to experience high rates due to broader socio-economic, educational, and cultural factors. Key contributors include low education levels, early school dropout, gaps in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), limited access to contraception, early romantic relationships, health inequalities, maternal migration and poor parental supervision. These factors underscore the need for comprehensive interventions targeting both individual behaviours and structural issues to reduce teenage pregnancies effectively.