Teen Pregnancy Trend in Manitoba (1991-2023)

Manitoba has historically had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Canada — but over the past three decades, the province has seen a significant decline. In 1991, more than 1 in 10 births in Manitoba were to teenage mothers. By 2023, that figure had fallen to just 3.4%, a drop of nearly 67%.

This decline reflects shifts in education, access to contraception, public health awareness, and changing life goals among youth in Manitoba.

Teen Births in Manitoba: Three Decades of Change

In 1991, Manitoba recorded 1,758 births to teen mothers, making up 10.2% of all live births in the province. That trend held steady through much of the 1990s and early 2000s. However, a steady decline began around 2010 and has accelerated in the last decade.

By 2021, the number of teen births fell to 506, or just 3.2% of total births. In 2023, the province recorded 514 births to teen mothers, representing 3.4% of all live births — a major improvement compared to historical levels.

Manitoba vs. National Trends

While the Canadian average for teen births in 2023 is 1.3%, Manitoba’s rate of 3.4% remains above the national average. Still, the gap is narrowing — in 1991, Manitoba’s teen birth rate was nearly double the national rate.

Number of Live Births to Teen Mothers in Manitoba (19 Years or Younger):

Year	Total number of live births in province	Number of live births to teen mothers in province	Percentage of live births
1991	17,281	1,758	10.2%
1992	16,596	1,688	10.2%
1993	16,720	1,741	10.4%
1994	16,482	1,719	10.4%
1995	16,122	1,655	10.3%
1996	15,484	1,583	10.2%
1997	14,659	1,429	9.7%
1998	14,464	1,518	10.5%
1999	14,315	1,418	9.9%
2000	14,090	1,338	9.5%
2001	14,005	1,330	9.5%
2002	13,890	1,298	9.3%
2003	13,940	1,237	8.9%
2004	13,822	1,215	8.8%
2005	14,142	1,219	8.6%
2006	14,568	1,285	8.8%
2007	15,290	1,377	9.0%
2008	15,505	1,366	8.8%
2009	15,958	1,441	9.0%
2010	15,787	1,295	8.2%
2011	15,632	1,253	8.0%
2012	16,364	1,187	7.3%
2013	16,472	1,091	6.6%
2014	16,568	1,022	6.2%
2015	16,690	914	5.5%
2016	16,898	869	5.1%
2017	17,043	796	4.7%
2018	17,081	754	4.4%
2019	16,745	694	4.1%
2020	16,521	647	3.9%
2021	15,668	506	3.2%
2022	13,862	393	2.8%
2023	15,229	514	3.4%

Source:

Source Name:	Statistics Canada. Table 13-10-0416-01. Live births, by age of mother.
Source Link:	https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/cv.action?pid=1310041601
Release Date:	2024-09-25