Teen pregnancy rates have declined overall in US states between 2007 and 2008, according to government data released on Wednesday.
The birth rate declined in 14 states, highlighting the disparity among states in teen birth rates.
Birth rates in 2008 fell to 41.5 percent from 42.5 percent in 2007, following an increase spanning 2005 to 2007.
Southern states had the highest rates while the lowest rates were experienced in northern and western states.
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont all had low rates below 25 births per 1,000 females aged 15 - 19. Arkansas, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas had high rates of more than 60 births for every 1,000 teen.
New Hampshire was lowest at 19.8 births per 1,000 teens, and Mississippi was the highest at 65.7 per 1,000 teens.
Among the groups listed, Hispanics had the highest teenage birth rate, while blacks had the second highest, and whites had the lowest.
