A 2021 survey of American high school students found that of those who were sexually active and engaging in sex with opposite-sex partners, 20.9 percent were using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy. Prevalence was highest among female students.
Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex
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The survey was conducted at all regular public and private schools with students in at least one of grades 9–12 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Data are for students who reported they were sexually active.
Used Birth Control Pills Before Last Sexual Intercourse With Opposite-Sex Partner
(to prevent pregnancy, not counting emergency contraception such as Plan B or the "morning after" pill)
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CDC. (April 28, 2023). Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. "Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex." Chart. April 28, 2023. Statista. Accessed May 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. (2023). Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC. "Share of High School Students Using The Birth Control Pill to Prevent Pregnancy in The United States in 2021, by Sex." Statista, Statista Inc., 28 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
CDC, Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/ (last visited May 08, 2025)
Share of high school students using the birth control pill to prevent pregnancy in the United States in 2021, by sex [Graph], CDC, April 28, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/222523/us-students-who-used-a-birth-control-pill-by-gender-and-ethnicity/
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