TEENAGE pregnancies plummeted by more than 50 per cent in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area between 2008 and 2017.

According to latest statistics, a total of 914 teenage pregnancies were recorded by the health board in 2017, compared to 1,934 in 2008.

The number of girls under-16 who became pregnant also decreased dramatically in that time, with the figure at 40 in 2017 compared to 142 in 2008.

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A teenage pregnancy, meaning a woman under the age of 20, refers to the conception itself, regardless of whether the woman went on to deliver or terminate.

Across Scotland in 2017, teenage pregnancy rates fell to their lowest level since reporting began in 1994 while rates decreased for the 10th consecutive year from 31.7 per 1,000 women in 2016, to 30.2 in 2017.

The ISD study also found the absolute gap in teenage pregnancy between the most and least deprived areas is narrowing. While rates have reduced across all levels of deprivation in recent years, rates in the most deprived areas have fallen more.

Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “I’m particularly pleased that the gap in teenage pregnancy rates between the most and least deprived areas is narrowing.

“We have taken significant action in this area and are working with partners to further support young people around both pregnancy and parenthood.

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“This includes the introduction of our Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy in 2016, which aims to address the cycle of deprivation associated with pregnancy in young people and ensure services put young people at the centre of decision-making.”

It was discovered teenagers from the most deprived areas are more likely to deliver than to terminate their pregnancy, while teens from the least deprived areas are more likely to terminate. 

In 2017, the percentage of teenage pregnancies which ended in termination was the highest since reporting began at 45 per cent.