‘8% of young Pinays are mothers’

MANILA, Philippines - One in 10 Filipino women started childbearing between 15 and 19 years old, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Results of the PSA’s 2013 National Demographic and Health Survey showed that eight percent of Filipino women aged 15 to 19 are already mothers. Another two percent are pregnant with their first child.

Among women aged 20 to 24, 43 percent are already mothers and four percent are pregnant with their first child.

“Early motherhood varies by education, wealth quintile and region. It is common among women aged 15 to 24 with less education than those with higher education,” the PSA said.

It noted that 44 percent of women with elementary education had early pregnancy compared to 21 percent with college education.

Early motherhood is also common in Caraga (38 percent) and Cagayan Valley (37 percent) compared to other regions, the PSA said.

The proportion of young adult women who have begun childbearing is higher among those classified as belonging to poor households (37 percent) than those in wealthier families (13 percent).

The survey also showed that one in five Filipino women aged 18 to 24 has engaged in sexual activity before turning 18.

Initiation of sexual activity before the age of 18 is more common among those with less education and in poorer households.