Between 2005 and 2006, pregnancies among US residents ages 15-19 grew by 3 percent, according to federal and Guttmacher Institute data. The absolute numbers alone put the United States at the top for teen pregnancies among industrialized countries, with 750,000 each year, says Lawrence Finer, Guttmacher's research director. Among every 1,000 teen girls in 2006, 42 gave birth and 19 had abortions.

In 2004, expenses associated with teenage pregnancies cost US taxpayers at least $9.1 billion, according to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies (NCPTUP). Among girls who have a baby by age 17 only 40 percent finish high school, data compiled by NCPTUP show. Although 23 percent do go on to earn their GEDs, the achievement gap widens even more for higher education.

Eight of 10 teen fathers do not marry the mother of their first child, and they pay less than $800 annually in child support on average, one NCPTUP study found.

The daughters of teen mothers are three times more likely to become teen moms themselves compared to girls born to older mothers, NCPTUP says. Sons born to teen parents are significantly more likely to be incarcerated. In addition, studies show that children born to teens are more apt to struggle socially and academically than peers.

In fiscal years 2010 and 2011, the federal government allotted more than $100 million for programs to help prevent teen pregnancy, including instruction on contraception and avoiding STDs.