New figures have revealed a dramatic decline in pregnancy rates among teenage girls.


A total of 71 pregnancies were recorded among women under the age of 20 in Renfrewshire during 2005 to 2007.


However, for the two-year period between 2014 and 2016, that figure had dropped to 20.


And it was a similar story in East Renfrewshire, where the number of teen pregnancies fell from 23 in 2005/07 to just five in 2014/16.


The rate of teen pregnancies in both Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire also remains below the Scottish average.


In Renfrewshire, the rate stood at 7.3 per 1,000 women in 2005/07 but that figure dropped to 2.4 during 2014/16.


Meanwhile, the rate in East Renfrewshire fell from 4.1 to 1.0 during the same timescale.


In Scotland as a whole, the rate was 7.6 in 2005/07 but was reduced to 3.5 in 2014/16.


The figures have been released by the Information Services Division, which said that teenage pregnancies had been “consistently decreasing” in recent times.


The report also found that termination rates for the under-16 age group had remained higher than delivery rates since 2002.


It added that there was a “strong correlation” between deprivation and teenage pregnancy.


In the under-20 age group, it reported that a teenage female living in the most deprived area was 4.8 times as likely to experience a pregnancy as someone living in the least deprived area and nearly 12 times as likely to deliver their baby.


Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: “I am pleased to see the rate of teenage pregnancy has continued to reduce for the sixth year, which is very encouraging alongside recent reductions in terminations of pregnancy.


“Reducing levels of pregnancy in young people will help to increase the choices, opportunities and wellbeing available to them throughout their lives.”


She said the Scottish government was determined to further decrease the rates but was disappointed by the difference in levels between deprived and more affluent areas.


Ms Watt added that a new draft strategy on the issue aimed to build upon the reductions seen in recent years.