John Elflein
Research expert covering health and health care
Contraception in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
In 2022, around 65 percent of sexually active women in the United States reported using at least one method of contraception in the past 12 months. Contraception, or birth control, involves the deliberate prevention of pregnancy. Common contraceptive methods include, but are not limited to, male and female condoms, oral pills, intrauterine devices, contraceptive patches, and contraceptive implants. The use and availability of contraceptives differs greatly by country and region for economic, religious, and cultural reasons. In 2024, only four percent of women in North America (the United States and Canada) who wanted to stop or delay childbearing were not using a method of contraception. Nevertheless, a survey from 2022 found that 33 percent of contraceptive-using women in the U.S. reported missing taking their birth control on time due to a lack of supply and access to affordable contraception has become a more prevalent political issue in recent years, especially since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Most popular types of contraception in the United States
The types of contraceptives most often used among U.S. women are oral contraceptives and male condoms, however use varies depending on the age group. For example, around half of women aged 18 to 25 years report using oral contraceptives and male condoms, compared to 22 percent of those aged 36 to 49 years. Contraceptive use among sexually active teenagers is essential to avoid unwanted teen pregnancy and prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. However, in 2021, only 52 percent of high school students reported they had used a condom during their last sexual intercourse. Use of the birth control pill among sexually active female high school students is even lower, with just 23 percent reporting using the birth control pill before their last sexual intercourse.The contraceptive market in the United States
Given the widespread use of contraceptives in the United States it is no surprise that there is a large market for such products. In 2022, the market size of condoms in the United States was estimated at over 1.5 billion U.S. dollars, with this market expected to increase to 2.92 billion dollars by the year 2030. Some of the biggest condom manufacturers in the U.S. include Trojan, Lifestyles, and Durex. The female contraceptive market is also substantial, with OTC revenues reaching 672 million U.S. dollars in 2023.
