Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States

United States: Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods was 66.1% in 2019. ▲ Rising

Latest (2019)
66.1%
Change on year
down 2.4%
World rank
18th
of 113 countries
All-time high
73.2%
in 1975
All-time low
49.1%
in 1965
Years of data
9
1965–2019

Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States, 1965–2019

0204060801965199220191965: 49.1 % of women ages 15-491970: 56.8 % of women ages 15-491973: 63.5 % of women ages 15-491975: 73.2 % of women ages 15-491976: 60.5 % of women ages 15-492002: 64.4 % of women ages 15-492015: 63.1 % of women ages 15-492017: 67.7 % of women ages 15-492019: 66.1 % of women ages 15-49

Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of women ages 15-49.

Analysis

In 2019, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States stood at 66.1%.

The figure is down 2.4% on the previous year and up 4.7% over five years.

Over the whole period, contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States peaked at 73.2% in 1975 and was at its lowest, 49.1%, in 1965.

That places United States 18th out of 113 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1960s 49.1% 49.1% 49.1% 1
1970s 63.5% 56.8% 73.2% 4
2000s 64.4% 64.4% 64.4% 1
2010s 65.6% 63.1% 67.7% 3

Countries ranked near United States

  1. 15 South Korea 67.6% compare
  2. 16 Honduras 66.5% compare
  3. 17 Paraguay 66.4% compare
  4. 19 Zimbabwe 65.8% compare
  5. 20 Belgium 65.4% compare
  6. 21 Lesotho 65.3% compare

See the full ranking of 113 places →

More reference data data for United States

All data for United States →

Frequently asked questions

What is contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States?
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States was 66.1% in 2019, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in United States?
The highest recorded value was 73.2% in 1975.
What is the lowest contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods recorded in United States?
The lowest recorded value was 49.1% in 1965.
How does United States rank for contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods?
United States ranks 18th out of 113 countries with data for 2019.
Where does this United States data come from?
The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods
Unit
% of women ages 15-49
Source
Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS), Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys (MICS), and UN Population Division, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
113 places, 1,022 data points, 1961–2024
Last refreshed

Estimated share of women using contraceptive methods, among those aged 15–49 and married or in union. This is compared between modern methods and any method (modern or traditional).