Sarawak has emerged as the state with the highest number of teenage pregnancies involving girls aged 19 and below between 2020 and 2024, accounting for 22.19 per cent of total recorded cases nationwide.
Director-General of the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), Datuk Abdul Shukur Abdullah, revealed that the figure comprises 3,666 married teenagers and 9,284 unmarried adolescents. The state also registered the highest number of births among teenagers in the same age group, with 3,114 cases recorded during the five-year period.
However, he did not provide a demographic breakdown or comparative figures for other states.
Speaking to BH yesterday, Abdul Shukur said the statistics were based on data from the Ministry of Health, noting that unreported cases of teenage pregnancy could not be verified. The disclosure highlights persistent concerns over adolescent reproductive health, particularly in regions facing socio-economic and educational challenges.
In November last year, BH reported that a total of 41,842 teenage pregnancies involving married adolescents were recorded nationwide from 2020 to 2024. During the same period, 16,951 unmarried teenagers aged 19 and below were also reported to be pregnant.
Need For Stronger Reproductive Health Education
Abdul Shukur acknowledged that limited understanding and awareness of reproductive health education may be among the contributing factors behind the trend. Studies indicate that higher levels of knowledge on reproductive health serve as a protective factor, helping teenagers avoid premarital sex and other risky sexual behaviours.
He stressed that such education should begin early, including at pre-school level, and continue through formal schooling as well as community-based programmes.
“This education is essential to create safe spaces at home, in schools and within the community, even though it may be considered taboo or sensitive in conservative settings,” he said.
He added that comprehensive education empowers adolescents with adequate knowledge to safeguard themselves from unhealthy sexual activities and exploitation.
Beyond formal instruction, Abdul Shukur emphasised the critical role of parents in initiating open and age-appropriate conversations about sexuality with their children from a young age. Strengthening communication within families, he said, is key to shaping responsible attitudes and informed decision-making among youths.
He further noted that enhancing adolescents’ understanding of reproductive health — including sexuality education — also teaches responsibility, respect and their right to say “no” to sexual misconduct.
Ongoing Outreach Through PEKERTI And KafeTEEN
LPPKN has been implementing the Reproductive and Social Health Education Programme (PEKERTI) extensively since 2006 in collaboration with government and non-governmental agencies, targeting specific groups directly.
In addition, the agency operates KafeTEEN centres nationwide, youth-friendly hubs designed to provide a safe platform for delivering accurate reproductive health education and related support services.
Observers note that sustained multi-agency cooperation and early intervention remain crucial in addressing teenage pregnancy, as the issue carries long-term social and economic implications for young individuals and their families.
