|
Source: Adapted from Population Reports, 1995.
Slide 18
|
Lack of contraceptive use is a major contributor to the high
rates of unintended pregnancies and birth observed worldwide
for young adults. An unintended birth or pregnancy is one that
is either mistimed or not wanted. Every year, about 15 million
women under age 20 give birth. This accounts for more than 10
percent of all births worldwide.
Among all women under age 20, the proportion of last births
that were unintended was more than three of every six in many
sub-Saharan Africa countries and about two of every six in Latin
America. In Asia, the Near East and North Africa, data are available
only for married women, who would be expected to have lower
rates of unintended pregnancies. For this group, the proportion
was about one of every six, reported for married women only.
Unmarried women have a higher percentage of unintended pregnancies
than do married women — as many as three out of four pregnancies
in many countries.
|
