Adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Niger

Today’s adolescents and youth face substantial physical, social, and economic barriers to meeting their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) potential. Niger has the highest fertility rate in the region and the world, as well as lowest age for marriage and childbearing. Early marriage and childbearing have been identified as key contributors to high fertility and maternal mortality in the region. To understand how countries are addressing adolescent SRH and rights (SRHR), the World Bank conducted a quantitative and qualitative study in several countries with a high adolescent’s SRH burden including Niger. The specific objectives of the study were to: (i) investigate adolescent’s socio-economic profile; (ii) analyze adolescent’s sexual and reproductive health status and its determinants from a demand and supply-side perspective; (iii) assess effectiveness of existing adolescent friendly initiatives and programs; and (iv) recommend a set of policy options to improve access and use of services for adolescents in Niger. This knowledge brief provides a brief background on adolescent SRH in Niger and summarizes the results of this study.