English girls more likely to have had sex at 15, WHO report reveals

by · Mail Online

English girls are more likely to have had sex at 15 than those in many developed countries and are less likely to use a condom, a World Health Organisation report reveals.

Health officials highlight 'worryingly high' rates of unprotected sex and warn teenagers are putting themselves at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases.

The declining use of condoms is particularly 'alarming' and demonstrates the need for better sex education and improved access to contraception, the body adds.

Researchers surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries between 2014 and 2022 for the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study.

The countries span Europe, Central Asia and Canada.

English girls are more likely to have had sex at 15 than those in many developed countries and are less likely to use a condom, a World Health Organisation report reveals (file photo)

Some 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England said they have had sex in the most recent year, compared with an average of 15 per cent across all nations.

Of these, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time they had sex, 41 per cent were on the contraceptive pill and 32 per cent used neither.

The global averages were 57 per cent, 26 per cent and 30 per cent.

Girls in England decreased their use of condoms and increased their use of the contraceptive pill between 2014 and 2022.

The proportion having sex by the age of 15 is down from 23 per cent in 2014 but up from 18 per cent in 2018.

Meanwhile, boys in England are less likely to have had sex than those in other countries.

Some 18 per cent of 15-year-old boys in England have had sex, down from 22 per cent in 2018 and equal to 18 per cent in 2014.

The figures for the global average are 20 per cent, 24 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively.

In England, 69 per cent of boys aged 15 used a condom when they last had sex in 2018 but this had fallen to 61 per cent by 2022.

Some 21 per cent of 15-year-old girls in England said they have had sex in the most recent year, compared with an average of 15 per cent across all nations. Of these, 48 per cent in England said they used a condom the last time they had sex, 41 per cent were on the contraceptive pill and 32 per cent used neither (stock image)

Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, described the findings as 'dismaying'.

He added: 'Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries, and where it is available, it has increasingly come under attack in recent years on the false premise that it encourages sexual behaviour, when the truth is that equipping young persons with the right knowledge at the right time leads to optimal health outcomes linked to responsible behaviour and choices.

'We are reaping the bitter fruit of these reactionary efforts, with worse to come, unless governments, health authorities, the education sector and other essential stakeholders truly recognise the root causes of the current situation and take steps to rectify it.

'We need immediate and sustained action, underpinned by data and evidence, to halt this cascade of negative outcomes, including the likelihood of higher STI rates, increased healthcare costs, and - not least - disrupted education and career paths for young persons who do not receive the timely information and support they need.' 

Lead author Dr András Költő, from the University of Galway, said: 'Comprehensive sexuality education is key to closing these gaps and empowering all young people to make informed decisions about sex at a particularly vulnerable moment in their lives, as they transition from adolescence to adulthood.

'But education must go beyond just providing information.

'Young people need safe spaces to discuss issues like consent, intimate relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation, and we - governments, health and education authorities, and civil society organisations - should help them develop crucial life skills including transparent, non-judgmental communication and decision-making.'

Health officials highlight 'worryingly high' rates of unprotected sex and warn teenagers are putting themselves at risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexual diseases (stock image)

Lisa Hallgarten, head of policy and public affairs at UK sexual health charity Brook, said: 'We recognise the picture painted by the WHO and share its concerns about the political resistance to high quality, timely sex education which is putting the health and wellbeing of young people at risk by delaying the provision of the vital information they need to stay safe.

'England needs a holistic sexual and reproductive health strategy to address every aspect of sexual health including shortfalls in education and information about safer sex, widespread misinformation online, resistance to condom use, long waiting times and lack of accessibility to sexual health services.

'With STI rates soaring and high rates of unplanned pregnancy there is an urgent need to develop new more effective public health approaches.'