The fertility rate in the United States has been declining for decades and hit a new low in 2023 according to provisional data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Around 3.6 million babies were born last year, equating to just below 54 births per 1,000 females aged between 15 and 44 – matching figures in 2020 which was the previous lowest recorded rate.
The report found that the fertility rate fell by around three percent compared with the prior year although larger declines have been witnessed historically. The birthrate dropped among most age groups, including teenagers whose rate reached a record low of just over 13 per thousand in 2023 – representing a fall of almost eighty percent since peak figures from 1991. However the slowdown in rates observed in recent years suggests this could potentially stall going forward according to Brady Hamilton, lead author and statistician at National Center for Health Statistics who explained that “the highest rates have over time been shifting towards women in their thirties whereas before it used to be with women in their twenties.”
Older age groups saw smaller decreases in birth rates despite ongoing debates regarding state restrictions around abortions and pregnancy options following significant life changes – such as economic downturns or pandemics. Women aged between 30-34 had the highest rate of childbirth with approximately ninety five per thousand females falling into this category, while women over forty saw a rise in birth rates although it remained lower than any other age group at less than thirteen births for every one thousand women.
The report also highlighted that cesarean deliveries continue to increase and now account for almost thirty-two percent of all childbirths – representing the highest rate recorded over the past decade. This is concerning as these major abdominal surgeries have been linked with rising maternal mortality rates in recent years according to Hamilton who explained that “cesarean deliveries are becoming more common among low risk births too, such as those among women having their first baby…”
Trend data included in the report indicates almost complete coverage of all available childbirth records from 2023. However this may change once further processing has been completed by National Center for Health Statistics staff members.
Leave a Reply