Teen Pregnancy Trend in New Brunswick (1991-2023)

New Brunswick has experienced a dramatic drop in teen pregnancies over the past three decades. In 1992, more than 10% of all live births in the province were to teenage mothers. By 2023, that number had declined to just 2.2%, marking a nearly 80% decrease.

This long-term trend highlights how education, contraception access, and shifting social norms have transformed youth reproductive health in the province.

Teen Birth Trends in New Brunswick

In 1992, New Brunswick recorded 966 births to teen mothers, representing 10.3% of all live births. Throughout the early 1990s, the teen birth rate stayed high — fluctuating between 9% and 10%.

But beginning in the early 2000s, the province began to see a steady and consistent decline in teen pregnancies. By 2015, the rate dropped to 4.6%, and by 2023, it reached just 2.2%.

How New Brunswick Compares Nationally

While Canada’s national teen birth rate in 2023 was 1.3%, New Brunswick’s rate of 2.2% remains slightly higher than the national average. However, the gap has narrowed significantly over the years.

In 1992, New Brunswick had one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country — now it is steadily approaching the national benchmark.

Number of Live Births to Teen Mothers in New Brunswick (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	9,498	898	9.5%
1992	9,389	966	10.3%
1993	9,049	875	9.7%
1994	8,980	894	10.0%
1995	8,566	847	9.9%
1996	8,177	700	8.6%
1997	7,923	657	8.3%
1998	7,886	677	8.6%
1999	7,615	598	7.9%
2000	7,352	558	7.6%
2001	7,196	501	7.0%
2002	7,046	458	6.5%
2003	7,117	453	6.4%
2004	6,964	413	5.9%
2005	6,896	388	5.6%
2006	7,030	435	6.2%
2007	7,150	469	6.6%
2008	7,407	492	6.6%
2009	7,395	491	6.6%
2010	7,356	533	7.2%
2011	7,128	478	6.7%
2012	7,059	437	6.2%
2013	6,959	344	4.9%
2014	6,982	349	5.0%
2015	6,603	304	4.6%
2016	6,623	243	3.7%
2017	6,542	251	3.8%
2018	6,370	214	3.4%
2019	6,278	205	3.3%
2020	6,212	176	2.8%
2021	6,468	160	2.5%
2022	6,218	148	2.4%
2023	6,054	135	2.2%

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