An Increase in Conceptions Among Girls Under 18, After 14 Years of Substantial and Steady Decline in England and Wales, is a Wake-Up Call to the UK Government and a Warning to Governments in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

England’s Teenage Pregnancy Strategy was both a national and global success story. It contributed to a substantial reduction in conceptions among girls under 18 in England and Wales and reduced inequities in conception rates between richer and poorer areas. Thanks to the efforts of champions within and outside government, progress continued even after the Strategy ended in 2010. However, worryingly, this decline appears to have stalled. This is due to a combination of factors, including governmental complacency and sharp reductions in social spending over a number of years. This should serve as a wake-up call to the United Kingdom (UK) government.

Over the last 30 years, adolescent pregnancy rates have declined sharply in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the majority of these pregnancies occur, though the progress has been uneven. This decline is the result of concerted efforts at all levels, from global to local, which occurred in the context of the International Conference on Population and Development’s Plan of Action (1994), the Millennium Development Goals (2000- 2014) and the Sustainable Development Goals (2015-2030). However, LMICs are now facing unprecedented cuts in overseas development assistance from a number of governments, including the UK. In this context, there is a risk of the hard-earned progress unravelling. This should serve as a warning to LMIC governments.