An alarmingly high number of teenagers are having unprotected sex

Condom use among sexually active adolescents has declined significantly since 2014, and rates of unprotected sex have risen to a worrying level, according to a new report from the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO).

This trend is putting young people at greater risk of sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions and unplanned pregnancies.

The new data was published as part of the Study on Healthy Behaviours of School-Affiliated Youth (HBSC Study), in which More than 242,000 15-year-olds from 42 countries in Europe, Central Asia and Canada were surveyed between 2014 and 2022.

Decreased condom use

The UN health agency said the data showed “it is clear that the decline in condom use is widespread and spans multiple countries and regions.”

Overall, the rate of sexually active adolescents who used a condom at their last sexual intercourse decreased from 70% to 61% among men, and from 63% to 57% among women, between 2014 and 2022.

Besides, Almost a third of adolescents reported not having used either a condom or a contraceptive pill in their most recent sexual relationship.

Socioeconomic differences are an important factor: according to the report, adolescents from low-income families are more likely to report not having used a condom or contraceptive pill at their last sexual encounter than those from more affluent families.

Sex education under attack

One of the reasons for this increase in unprotected sex is the reluctance of many countries to provide sex education in schoolsthe WHO noted.

“Comprehensive age-appropriate sexuality education remains neglected in many countries and, where it exists, has come under increasing attack in recent years under the false premise that it encourages sexual activity, when in fact equipping young people with the right knowledge at the right time leads to optimal health outcomes linked to responsible behaviour and choices,” said Dr Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

Kluge highlighted the cascade of negative consequences of such behaviors, from Rising health costs to disrupting young people’s education and careers.

“By empowering adolescents to make informed decisions about their sexual health, we ultimately safeguard and improve their overall well-being. This is what all parents and families should wish for their children, everywhere,” Kluge concluded.