Teen Pregnancy Trend in Nunavut (1999-2023)

Nunavut continues to report some of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Canada, with teenage mothers accounting for 17% of all births in 2023. While most provinces have seen steep declines in teen births, Nunavut has maintained persistently high percentages—ranging between 17% and 25% over the past 25 years.

This article explores teen birth trends in Nunavut from 1999 to 2023 and what the numbers reveal about healthcare, education, and socio-economic conditions in Canada’s youngest territory.

From 1999 to 2023:

• Highest percentage: 25% in 2006
• Lowest percentage: 17% (2021–2023)
• Overall trend: Slight decrease in teen birth percentage, but remains over 2.5 times the national average

Comparing Nunavut to National Trends

While teen birth rates in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia have dropped to under 2%, Nunavut’s 17% stands out starkly. The contrast points to a widening public health equity gap between northern and southern Canada.

Number of Live Births to Teen Mothers in Nunavut (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
1999	548	117	21%
2000	603	122	20%
2001	704	155	22%
2002	719	158	22%
2003	749	166	22%
2004	768	188	24%
2005	723	167	23%
2006	774	192	25%
2007	811	184	23%
2008	817	184	23%
2009	883	183	21%
2010	843	169	20%
2011	836	173	21%
2012	856	163	19%
2013	926	205	22%
2014	902	159	18%
2015	870	169	19%
2016	916	170	19%
2017	905	161	18%
2018	900	165	18%
2019	853	162	19%
2020	963	177	18%
2021	835	139	17%
2022	705	120	17%
2023	793	135	17%

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