Almost a third of teenagers in Europe reported using neither a condom nor the pill the last time they had sex. WHO: Teenagers in Europe are using contraception less and less Healthcare
Condom use among sexually active teenagers in Europe has fallen significantly over the past 10 years, putting young people at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancies, according to a report released Thursday by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Europe.
The new data were released as part of the multi-wave Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, which surveyed more than 242,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries between 2014 and 2022.
Consequences of unprotected sex
The report highlights that a significant proportion of sexually active 15-year-olds engage in unprotected sex, which WHO warns can have serious consequences, including unwanted pregnancy, unsafe abortion and increased risk of sexually transmitted infections.
The data suggest that the high prevalence of unprotected sex points to significant gaps in comprehensive sexuality education, including sexual health education, and in access to to contraceptive methods.
Reducing the use of condoms
The data show that the decline in condom use is widespread and affects many countries and regions, with some experiencing steeper declines than others.
The report highlights the need for targeted action to reverse these worrying trends and promote safer sexual practices among young people.
“While the findings in the report are alarming, they are also not surprising,” said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries and, where available, has come under increasing attack in recent years on the false premise that it encourages early sexual activity.”
According to Dr Kluge, the European Region is “reaping the bitter fruits of these retrograde efforts, and the worst is yet to come” unless governments, health authorities and the education sector take action.
Key findings of the report
Between 2014 and 2022, the proportion of sexually active adolescents in Europe who used a condom the last time they had sex fell from 70 to 61 per cent among boys and from 63 to 57 per cent among girls.
Almost a third of adolescents (30 per cent) reported using neither a condom nor the pill the last time they had sex, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged since 2018.
Adolescents from low-income backgrounds families were more likely to report not using a condom or the pill the last time they had sex than their peers from wealthier families (33 percent compared to 25 percent).
The use of the pill remained relatively stable between 2014 and 2022, with 26 percent of 15-year-olds using it.
The Need to Make Informed Decisions
“Ultimately, what we want to achieve for young people is a strong foundation for life and love,” Dr. Kluge emphasized. “By empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their sexual health, we ultimately protect and improve overall well-being.”