Edition August 2025

Teenage pregnancy remains a significant and complex public health and social issue in South Africa, carrying profound consequences for the young mothers, their children, families, and the broader society.

While there has been some fluctuation in recent years, the overall trend points to a persistent problem. Data suggests that approximately 1 in 7 mothers in South Africa are teenagers. In 2022/23, an estimated 150 000 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 fell pregnant. Disturbingly, a significant number of these pregnancies occur in girls under 15, with reports indicating nearly 10 births daily to girls who are not yet 15 years old.

Addressing a stakeholder engagement, held in Pretoria recently to adress the persistent scourge of teenage pregnancy, Deputy Minister in The Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike said the scourge of teenage pregnancy is not only a health concern but a threat to the nation’s social and moral fibre and future prosperity.

The Deputy Minister said in 2024 alone, over 90 000 pregnancies were recorded among girls aged 10 to 19 and 2 328 of those pregnancies were in girls between 10 and 14 years old.

“When a young girl becomes a mother, her chances of finishing school plummet, her job prospects diminish and she often becomes trapped in a cycle of poverty.

“In other words, today’s teen pregnancy is tomorrow’s poverty and inequality. We must recognise this as not only a public health issue but a social justice emergency,” the Deputy Minister urged.

The complex drivers behind teenage pregnancy

Teenage pregnancy in South Africa is a deeply complex issue, shaped by a variety of social, economic and cultural factors. At the heart of the problem lies poverty. In some cases, early pregnancy may even be perceived as a rational choice, offering access to government child support grants or a perceived path to adulthood in environments where opportunities are scarce.

Despite existing policies, many schools and communities still fail to provide comprehensive, accurate, and age-appropriate sexuality education. This lack of proper guidance leads to reproductive ignorance, leaving teenagers vulnerable and ill-informed about safe sex practices and contraception.

Access to contraceptives and sexual reproductive health services also remains a significant hurdle. Even when available, young people often face stigma, unfriendly health workers, and concerns about confidentiality. These barriers discourage many adolescents from seeking the support they need.

Gender inequality plays a critical role as well. In many communities, harmful gender norms create unequal power dynamics, where boys are socially permitted sexual freedom, while girls face sexual taboos and are expected to be passive. These imbalances leave girls vulnerable to coercion and exploitation.

A disturbing number of teenage pregnancies, especially among girls aged 10 to 14, result from non-consensual sex and statutory rape. Gender-based violence remains a harsh reality for many young girls, exacerbating the crisis.

Family environments also contribute to the issue. Dysfunctional households and a lack of open communication about sex between parents and children leave adolescents without vital guidance and emotional support. Without this foundation, they are more susceptible to risky behaviour.

Peer pressure and a natural tendency toward risk-taking can lead teenagers to start sexual activity earlier, often without protection. Meanwhile, the pervasive influence of highly sexualised media further lowers the age of sexual debut, shaping young people’s perceptions and behaviours in powerful ways.

Addressing the challenge

Government, together with various non-governmental organisations, has rolled out several initiatives to combat teenage pregnancy. One key effort is the Integrated School Health Programme, which brings health services directly to schools. Through regular visits by nurses, learners receive education on puberty, menstruation, preventing pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STI) I awareness, and are referred to clinics for contraceptive access.

In addition, awareness campaigns like Ezabasha Dialogues and the Risiha Community-Based Prevention programme, along with stakeholder engagements led by the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, work to educate communities about the causes and consequences of teenage pregnancy, fostering dialogue and prevention at grassroots levels.

Sexual and reproductive health rights

Efforts also focus on providing contraception – condoms, pills, injectables, implants – alongside STI prevention and counselling. The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1996, offers legal options for terminating unwanted pregnancies. The Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored, and Safe programme addresses socio-economic disparities and HIV risk among adolescent girls, while community mapping in provinces like KwaZulu-Natal helps target resources in high-risk areas. Parenting programmes such as Sinovuyo improve communication between parents and teens, fostering informed decision-making.

Despite these initiatives, challenges persist due to social norms, behavioural factors, and difficulties reaching all vulnerable populations. There is also a need to better involve young men in prevention. Addressing teenage pregnancy requires sustained, multi-sectoral efforts, including comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly health services, social support, and tackling poverty, gender inequality, and violence.

Government is in the process of engaging stakeholders as part of an initiative to establish a roadmap to south africa’s teenage pregnancy prevention and management response. ❖