Health and Wellness

Adolescent Deliveries in the Western Cape (2022-2024)

Teenage pregnancy remains a significant public health and social concern globally, with far-reaching consequences for young mothers, their families, and communities. Adolescent mothers often face challenges such as interrupted education, limited economic opportunities, and increased health risks for both themselves and their children - including an increased risk of maternal mortality, premature births, low birth weight babies, and neonatal mortality.

In South Africa, teenage pregnancy is significantly higher than the global average and continues to impact adolescent health and development, despite ongoing efforts to improve contraceptive access and reproductive health education.

Data within the Western Cape indicates an overall increase in deliveries among young and teenage women across most districts from the 2022/23 to 2024/25 financial years, with the total number of adolescent deliveries rising from approximately 10 488 in 2022 to 12 750 in 2024.

When broken down by age, deliveries among 10-14-year-olds have remained relatively stable, at approximately 360 deliveries per year, whereas deliveries among 15-19-year-olds have consistently risen. Some districts, especially in the urban areas, have experienced increases of over 10% between the 2022/23 and 2024/25 financial years, indicating that a significant proportion of teenage pregnancies occur in older adolescents, reinforcing the need for targeted interventions.

For women aged 15-19, several districts have recorded notable increases in deliveries particularly in the Tygerberg and Mitchells Plain subdistricts in the City of Cape Town. While the West Coast District has shown slight declines. The overall trend suggests a rise in teenage pregnancies, particularly in the City of Cape Town, Cape Winelands District and Garden Route District.

Addressing the prevalence of teen pregnancies is not solely a health issue, it is a shared responsibility between parents, communities and government as it remains a complex issue with several factors contributing to the increasing adolescent pregnancy rates. Limited contraceptive uptake and accessibility remain significant challenges, as many young people face barriers such as stigma and misinformation from their communities and families while clinic accessibility has also been raised as an area of concern.

Additionally, gaps in comprehensive reproductive education may contribute to the rise, as some adolescents lack accurate knowledge about contraception and reproductive health. At the same time, teenagers who do not have supportive parents or caregivers may be more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour. Economic and social factors, including poverty, lack of opportunities, and peer influences, may also play a role in driving up teenage pregnancy rates, particularly in urban areas.  Sexual and gender-based violence, which place teenage girls at a higher risk of unintended pregnancies, is also a contributing factor.

While there are efforts across the entire Western Cape Government to prevent teen pregnancies and to support young mothers, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness is addressing this through strengthening existing interventions and implementing new strategies to curb teenage pregnancies. A key initiative is the establishment of Youth Zones at healthcare facilities. These zones are thoughtfully designed and staff are trained to offer compassionate, non-judgemental and confidential support and medical services specifically tailored to adolescents.

 Furthermore, community involvement, including peer-led initiatives, parental engagement, and collaboration with schools, is essential in fostering long-term behavioural change and awareness.

In conclusion, the data underscores the growing challenge of teenage pregnancies, with an overall rise in deliveries among young women between 2022 and 2024. While some districts have seen reductions, others continue to report increasing numbers, emphasising the need for sustained and enhanced interventions.

The Western Cape Government remains committed to addressing this issue through youth-friendly healthcare services, improved contraceptive accessibility, parental engagement and expanded educational programs. At the same time we, as a nation, need to take urgent steps to stop sexual and gender based violence against women and in particular, young and teenage women.

Strengthening these initiatives will be critical in reducing teenage pregnancies and ensuring better health outcomes for adolescents in the province.