In 2023, the U.S. recorded an all-time low fertility rate, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The fertility rate in the United States has been declining for several decades, with a significant drop observed post-2008's financial crisis. A brief rise in 2021 sparked theories of a Covid-19 "baby boom," but the trend swiftly returned to its consistent downward slope.
In 2023, the US saw a 3% decrease in the fertility rate, reaching an all-time low of approximately 55 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 44. This led to a decrease of around 68,000 births compared to the previous year, with 3.6 million babies born in total.
Since 2007, when the fertility rate peaked, there's been a 17% decrease in births and a 21% drop in overall fertility rate, according to recent data from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics.
Various social and economic aspects might contribute to the decrease in US fertility rates, suggests Sarah Hayford, director of The Ohio State University's Institute for Population Research. Delayed marriage, less frequent marriages, longer education durations, and a gradual economic establishment are some factors aligned with lower birth rates.
"Individuals are postponing parenthood," Hayford explained. "People who wait longer to become parents generally have fewer children. There's also a growing acceptance of childlessness or smaller families, so more individuals are thoughtfully evaluating their choices to become parents."
American births are increasingly occurring among older mothers, with the highest birth rate observed in women aged 30 to 34 in 2023 (about 95 births per 1,000 women). Furthermore, the teen birth rate reached an all-time low in 2023 with approximately 13 births per 1,000 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19.
However, women in the U.S. have been grappling with significant changes in reproductive health services following the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. This decision revoked the federal right to an abortion. Although national-level data may not fully capture local trends influenced by state abortion restrictions, an analysis from 2022 suggested that states with abortion bans saw an average fertility rate 2.3% higher than those with unrestricted abortion access, resulting in approximately 32,000 more births than anticipated.
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Hayford noted that the link between abortion rights and birth rates is complex. The ongoing impact of recent changes in reproductive policies on demographic patterns is yet to be fully understood. But she added, "Abortion access can significantly influence people's plans to have children."
Overall reproductive health experiences can shape these decisions as well, according to Hayford.
The new CDC report reveals a concerning trend – an increase in the number of pregnant women receiving no prenatal care or delayed prenatal care. In 2023, the percentage of pregnant women without prenatal care rose by 5%, amounting to 2.3% of all pregnant women, and the share of women receiving care only in the third trimester increased as well, accounting for nearly 5% of pregnancies.
The decreasing fertility rate in the US might negatively impact overall health, as a lack of births could lead to an aging population with fewer young workers to support it. Furthermore, the rise in pregnant women receiving no or delayed prenatal care could impact the health of future generations, potentially leading to poor health outcomes for both mothers and children.
