Global burden and consequences of adolescent pregnancy

An estimated 12.3 million adolescent girls gave birth globally in 2025, according to WHO. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights that adolescent pregnancy is both a cause and a consequence of a range of human rights violations. Adolescent pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes, including unsafe abortion, maternal and neonatal deaths, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and low birth weight. These adverse outcomes can have lifelong consequences, such as premature mortality, poorer health across the life course, and reduced educational attainment, limiting social and economic participation and opportunities to achieve full potential. The impacts extend beyond adolescents themselves to their children, families, and communities. While these burdens and consequences are widely reported, consolidated global evidence remains limited. Strengthening the evidence base is essential to better understand the magnitude of the burden and to inform policies and programs aimed at preventing adolescent pregnancy and supporting adolescent girls and their families. This interdisciplinary research project aims to systematically review existing global evidence on the burden and consequences of adolescent pregnancy. The preferred candidate will have a background in public health and an interest in global health, adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health, and health equity. The successful candidate will develop skills in systems thinking, global health, and academic writing, and will have the opportunity to co-author a manuscript.