The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has warned of a concerning rise in teenage pregnancies during the 2025/26 festive season. According to provincial health data, over 160 teenage girls gave birth on New Year’s Day 2026 — more than double the figure recorded the previous year.
This increase reflects a broader national trend. Statistics South Africa recorded 123,971 births to mothers aged 19 and younger between January 2024 and February 2025. The NYDA said provinces such as the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal reported particularly high rates during the holidays.
Why teenage pregnancy remains a national challenge
Teenage pregnancy continues to:
- Undermine education outcomes
- Increase vulnerability to poverty and gender-based violence
- Limit future economic participation
- Reduce access to health and development opportunities for girls
The NYDA stressed that the burden falls most heavily on young women, and that key drivers — including poverty, lack of youth services, and harmful gender norms — are still not being adequately addressed.
NYDA’s four-pillar prevention strategy
To address the problem, the NYDA is implementing a national support and prevention plan structured around four focus areas:
| Pillar | Focus |
|---|---|
| Prevention and awareness | Life-skills, rights-based education, gender equality programmes |
| Education and retention | Supporting young mothers to remain in or return to school |
| Economic participation | Access to youth services, income and entrepreneurship opportunities |
| Partnerships and advocacy | Coordinated work with families, schools, health, justice, and communities |
NYDA calls for urgent collective action
Dr Sunshine Myende, NYDA Executive Chairperson, said:
“Teenage pregnancy often interrupts education, limits economic prospects, and places young mothers in vulnerable situations far too early in life. We remain committed to working with all partners to prevent adolescent pregnancies while ensuring that young mothers are supported, protected, and provided with meaningful pathways back into education, skills development, and economic participation.”
The NYDA urged parents, teachers, civil society, and government to step up efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy while ensuring support for young mothers.
Confirmed Facts
- Over 160 teenage births were recorded on 1 January 2026 alone
- The number is more than double that of New Year’s Day 2025
- Teenage pregnancy is closely linked to school dropout and poverty
- NYDA data shows disproportionately high rates in the Eastern Cape and KZN
- The agency has committed to prevention and support through four key pillars
