In Sub-Saharan Africa, sexual activity, contraceptive use and childbearing among never-married women aged 15-24 differs significantly among countries. Analysis of Demographic and Health Surveys data for seven countries reveals that in some, such as Botswana and Liberia, more than 75% of unmarried women have had sexual intercourse, while in Burundi only 4% have done so. Although more than 75% of unmarried, sexually experienced young women in the countries studied know of at least one modern contraceptive method, less than 30% of these women in most countries have ever used a modern method. Childbearing among unmarried women is almost nonexistent in Burundi (2%) and very low in Ghana (9%?), but it is fairly common in Botswana (42%) and Liberia (34%).