Abstract

Teenage pregnancy is an issue of great political and social concern in Belgium. This research note is one of the first to provide for a quantitative analysis of recent figures (1996-2005). Such information is arguably indispensable for drafting effective prevention plans. The highest number of teenage pregnancies (among 10- to 19-year-olds) was recorded in 2001, which was followed by a decrease in numbers, and a slight increase again. In 2005 approximately 5250 girls fell pregnant – a number well below the record of 2001. Among teenagers, abortion rates are growing. Currently, they carry the pregnancy to term in (slightly more than) half of the cases. The majority of teenage pregnancies is found in adolescents 18 years of age or older. The share of younger adolescents shows a slight increase since 1996. In 2004 and 2005 teenage pregnancies made up 4% of the total number of recorded pregnancies. This number stayed well below the percentages of the years before. Although the amount of teenage pregnancies is fairly limited in Belgium, adolescents falling pregnant certainly require the care and attention of policy makers and social workers.

How to Cite:

De Wilde, M., (2008) “Onderzoeksnota: tienerzwangerschappen in België in cijfers van 1996 tot 2005”, Tijdschrift voor Sociologie 29(1), 89–103. doi: https://doi.org/10.21825/sociologos.86698