Oklahoma sees fewer teen births, moves out of top 5 worst states

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma is no longer ranked in the top five states for teen birth rates for the first time in at least a decade, according to federal health data. 

Though it continues to have some of the highest numbers of teen mothers, Oklahoma has cut its teenage birth rate half since 2014, according to the most recent data released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Oklahoma’s teen birth rate has declined nearly every year since 2014, according to the CDC. For teenagers aged 15 to 19, the rate has dropped from 38.5 births per 1,000 teens in 2014 to a rate of 19.6 in 2024. 

Nationwide, the teen birth rate was at a record low of 12.6 births per 1,000 teens.

Oklahoma has moved from having the fifth highest teen birth rate into the sixth slot, behind Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Sexual health education, teen clinic services, and expanding school-based education programs have contributed to the decline in the state’s birth rate, according to an analysis by Healthy Teens Oklahoma, a group working to reduce teen pregnancy.

The state’s largest metropolitan areas have also reduced their teen birth rates. 

Since 2020, Oklahoma County’s rate dropped from nearly 28 births per 1,000 to 21. Tulsa County’s has reduced from 24.2 to 17.7, according to Healthy Teens Oklahoma. 

In the past year, Oklahoma’s state lawmakers have also passed legislation aimed at protecting children. 

The Legislature in 2025 passed a bill raising the age of consent from 16 to 18, with a “Romeo and Juliet” provision built in for partners close in age. 

This session, lawmakers banned child marriage effective Nov. 1. State law currently allows minors to get married with the consent of a parent or guardian and children 16 or under can be married with authorization by a court.