The Seventh Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (DHS7), released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), shows that teenage pregnancies among girls aged 15–19 have increased over the past five years, rising from 5% in 2020 to 8% in 2025. These figures highlight persistent gaps in protecting adolescent health and supporting girls to stay in school.
Minister of Health Dr. Nsanzimana Sabin noted that this increase has serious consequences for the health of young mothers and their children, including premature births, childbirth complications and child stunting. He stated that the Government has put in place measures such as revising laws and expanding services targeting adolescents, with the aim of reducing these risks and preventing school dropout.
DHS7 data indicate that teenage pregnancy increases with age: 1% among 15-year-olds, 2% among those aged 16, 6% at 17, 12% at 18 and 20% at 19. This shows that older adolescents are the most affected, calling for age-specific interventions.
The survey also revealed a strong link between teenage pregnancy and education levels, with 21% of affected girls having never attended school, 13% having completed primary education and only 4% having reached secondary education. This gives the issue a broader development dimension, requiring coordinated responses across education, health and social sectors.
NISR Director General Murenzi Ivan said the problem requires collaboration among various institutions to identify sustainable solutions, while Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Murangwa Yusuf emphasized that the DHS7 findings indicate areas where increased budget allocation is needed, particularly in the health sector, as outlined in the National Strategy for Transformation Phase II (NST2) 2024–2029.
Although teenage pregnancies had declined by 2020 compared to previous years, the increase recorded in 2025 shows that there is still a long journey ahead to achieve the goal of protecting adolescent health and ensuring equal opportunities in education and development.
