Teen births at lowest in over 20 years; safe, judgment-free environment key to seeking help: Experts
There were 140 teenage births in 2025, down by more than 40 per cent from 244 in 2024.
In 2025, there were 140 teenage births in Singapore, a significant decline of over 40 per cent from 244 births in the previous year, according to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA). This marks the lowest level of teenage births in at least 20 years. Ms Jannyce Lim, one of the teenage mothers, attributed her successful transition into motherhood to the unwavering support of her mother and a counsellor from Fei Yue Community Services.
However, experts emphasize that not all teenage mothers have the same support systems in place, and some may face overwhelming challenges during pregnancy and beyond. Dr Cassandra Cheong, a consultant at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, highlights the potential mental health issues, unstable relationships, and academic struggles that can accompany teenage pregnancy.
These difficulties can make it harder for young mothers to seek the help they need, particularly if they fear stigma or judgment. Ensuring a safe, judgment-free environment for teenage mothers to access support is crucial, but it requires a coordinated effort from healthcare, education, social services, and the community.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
