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
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States, 1965–2019
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.
Contraceptive usage: modern methods vs. any methods in United States, year by year
| Year | % of women ages 15-49 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 49.1% | — |
| 1970 | 56.8% | +15.7% |
| 1973 | 63.5% | +11.8% |
| 1975 | 73.2% | +15.3% |
| 1976 | 60.5% | -17.3% |
| 2002 | 64.4% | +6.5% |
| 2015 | 63.1% | -2.1% |
| 2017 | 67.7% | +7.3% |
| 2019 | 66.1% | -2.4% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 66.1% is above the median for high income countries, which is 60.4%, 1.1× the median. (24 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More reference data data for United States
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 19.34 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 24.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 20.7 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 119.42 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 64.85 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 52.14 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 133.45 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 589.96 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 112.69 (2050)
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
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).