Teenage Pregnancy Among Tribal Populations: A Review of Socio-Cultural, Health, and Policy Perspectives

Abstract

Adolescence (10–19 years) represents a pivotal transition between childhood and adulthood, marked by rapid biological and social changes with long-term implications for health. In 2025, adolescents constituted nearly one-sixth of the global population (1.3 billion), yet this group experiences a substantial burden of preventable morbidity and mortality. Approximately 1.1 million adolescents die each year due to health and non-health-related causes, including injuries, violence, suicide, sexual and reproductive health complications. While early adolescents (10–14 years) are primarily affected by inadequate hygiene, sanitation, and water access, older adolescents (15–19 years) face increased risks associated with poor nutrition, unsafe sexual practices, and substance use. Globally, in 2023, nearly 13% of adolescent girls and young women gave birth before the age of 18, highlighting persistent vulnerabilities.

This review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence of teenage pregnancy among tribal communities in India, examines the socio-cultural and demographic determinants influencing early childbearing. It also reviews current policy frameworks addressing adolescent reproductive health. Teenage pregnancy among India’s tribal populations remains a major public health challenge, necessitating targeted interventions. Culturally responsive, community-based, and multisectoral approaches that integrate health, education, and social protection systems are crucial for reducing early pregnancies and improving adolescent health outcomes.

Early childbearing disrupts normal growth and development, adversely affecting girls’ health, educational attainment, and economic prospects. These risks are exacerbated in India’s tribal populations, where cultural norms, limited access to reproductive health services, and structural inequities contribute to disproportionately high rates of adolescent pregnancy.