Andhra Pradesh has made visible progress in infrastructure and investment growth. Yet a troubling social indicator is drawing statewide concern. Teenage pregnancies are rising at an alarming rate across the state.
Recent district-level data reveal that the problem is widespread. Palnadu district has reported the highest teenage pregnancy rate at 14.94 percent. Kurnool follows with 13.50 percent. Visakhapatnam presents a relatively better picture at 3.98 percent. However, almost all other districts have crossed the five percent benchmark. Rayalaseema and parts of South Coastal Andhra show particularly high levels.
Teenage pregnancy represents interrupted education, early responsibility, and limited economic mobility for young girls between the ages of 13 and 19. Many of these adolescents are at a stage when they should be focused on schooling and skill development. Early motherhood often forces them out of classrooms and into domestic burdens. The long term impact extends to family income levels, workforce participation, and intergenerational poverty.
Health risks are another serious dimension. Early pregnancy increases the likelihood of maternal complications and infant mortality. Adolescent bodies are not fully prepared for childbirth. Without timely medical support, both mother and child face elevated risks. Public health systems must therefore treat this issue as both a medical and developmental priority.
Experts attribute the rise to multiple factors. Child marriages continue in certain rural pockets despite legal prohibitions. Lack of awareness about reproductive health contributes to unsafe practices. Cases of sexual violence also add to the numbers. Socio-economic vulnerability often leaves young girls without adequate protection or guidance. In several regions, enforcement of child protection laws has not been strong enough to deter violations.
The state government has taken note of the situation. During recent high-level review meetings, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed the health department and other key departments to treat teenage pregnancy as an urgent issue. Officials have set a target to reduce the rate to five percent by 2025 to 2026. However, the data indicates that significant intervention is required to achieve that goal.
Health workers and schools must expand counselling and outreach in vulnerable communities. Strict action against child marriage and sexual exploitation must be enforced without compromise.
