Teen pregnancy hindering development in Latin America

The high incidence of teenage pregnancies in Latin America, second only to Africa, not only persists but is increasing, which is an obstacle to development in the region. Between 25 and 108 of every 1,000 girls 15 to 19 are mothers in the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), highlighting the alarming situation teenage pregnancy. The highest proportion of teenage pregnancies in the region is recorded in several Central American countries like Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala, and Venezuela, Dominican Republic and Ecuador. While maternity rates decreased in all age groups of countries in the region continue to rise in the group of adolescents between 15 and 19. Teenage girls have almost doubled their contribution to total fertility, going to represent 14.3% in 2000-2005, according to ECLAC. Read Article