MANILA, Philippines — Teenage pregnancy in the Philippines continues to disproportionately impact lower-income families, with rates among the country’s poorest households reaching nearly double the national average, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
In a statement released ahead of World Contraception Day on September 26, the CPD reported that while the overall adolescent pregnancy rate stands at 4.9%, it rises to 9.4% among the poorest households.
“Adolescent pregnancy, though relatively low at 4.9 percent, remains disproportionately high among the poorest households (9.4%) and in certain regions. It must be reframed as a developmental inequality issue, not solely a health concern,” the CPD said.
The agency stressed that addressing early pregnancies requires broader investment in youth development and life skills education.
“Investing in adolescent health and development programs which includes equipping young people with life skills, emotional resilience, and sound decision-making, is essential for preventing early pregnancies and empowering the next generation to exercise their reproductive agency,” the agency added.
The CPD highlighted persistent disparities in healthcare access, noting that low-income and less-educated individuals frequently face obstacles in obtaining family planning services, often leading to higher fertility rates than desired.
CPD Undersecretary for Population and Development Lisa Grace Bersales urged state agencies to expand outreach to underserved populations.
“While more and more women and men are recognizing the importance of family planning, the government needs to strengthen its initiatives to reach out to women and men who have low access to reproductive health services so they can fully exercise their reproductive rights,” Bersales said.
“We need to reach those who are poor, marginalized, and those living in isolated and disadvantaged areas,” she added.
Data from the 2025 National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) shows that modern contraceptive usage among married women grew to 44.5% in 2025, up from 41.8% in 2022. However, the CPD noted that misinformation, social stigma, and shortages of trained healthcare providers continue to hinder equitable access.
With the national fertility rate dropping to 1.7 children per woman, signaling the country’s entry into a late demographic transition phase, the commission called for intensified family planning initiatives to maximize the economic potential of the Philippines’ demographic dividend.