Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing of Teenagers Aged 15–19 in the United States

Using data from the 1988 to 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth, this report provides trends and recent national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and childbearing among teenagers ages 15-19. Key findings include:

1. In 2011-2013, 44% of female teenagers and 47% of male teenagers had experienced sexual intercourse, percentages which have declined significantly over the past 25 years.
2. Seventy-nine percent of female teenagers and 84% of male teenagers used a contraceptive method at first sexual intercourse, the most common of which was the condom.
3. Young women who did not use a method of contraception at first sexual intercourse were twice as likely to become teen mothers as those who used a method.