In 2024, the fertility rate in the United States sank to a record-breaking low, according to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently released a report revealing that the total fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low of 1.599 in 2024, with less than 1.6 kids per woman. This trend continues to be a topic of concern for researchers and policymakers alike.
Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina, predicts that this decline is unlikely to change in the near future. Leslie Root, a researcher from the University of Colorado Boulder focused on fertility and population policy, sees the declining birth rate as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay.
Factors Contributing to the Decline
The decision to have fewer children is influenced by a variety of factors. Economic uncertainties, high costs of living, and changing societal priorities all play a significant role. Women are increasingly postponing motherhood, which can lead to fewer pregnancies over a lifetime. This trend is reflected in the rise of the average age of first-time mothers, which increased to 27.5 years in 2023.
Teenage fertility rates have significantly decreased, partly due to increased awareness and use of effective contraception and more teenagers choosing not to have sex early. Additionally, Hispanic fertility rates have decreased, aligning with other ethnic groups.
As more women engage in careers and education, the trend toward smaller family sizes grows. This is a common factor across developed countries, contributing to declining fertility rates.
Comparison with Other Developed Countries
The United States is not alone in experiencing declining fertility rates. Many Western European countries face similar challenges, with economic pressures and societal changes contributing to lower birth rates. Countries like Italy, Spain, and Germany have fertility rates below the replacement level, often due to economic uncertainty and changing family dynamics.
Japan and South Korea are renowned for their aging populations and low fertility rates, which are even more pronounced than those in the U.S. This situation leads to significant economic and societal challenges, including workforce shortages and strain on public services.
The Future of Fertility Rates in the U.S.
While the U.S. fertility rate rebounded slightly to 1.79 children per woman in 2025 after a historic low in 2024, it remains below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. The Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, including issuing an executive order to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilization and backing the idea of "baby bonuses". However, experts like Karen Guzzo believe that these measures do not tackle larger needs like parental leave and affordable child care.
In conclusion, the declining fertility rate in the U.S. is a complex issue influenced by a variety of factors. As the trend continues, it will have significant implications for economic stability and social structures in the country.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Total Fertility Rate - United States. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr69/nvsr69_05-508.pdf [2] Guzzo, K. (2023). The Declining Fertility Rate: Causes and Implications. Carolina Population Center. Retrieved from https://cpc.unc.edu/2023/01/the-declining-fertility-rate-causes-and-implications/ [3] Root, L. (2024). Low Fertility Rates Across Developed Countries: A Comparative Analysis. University of Colorado Boulder. Retrieved from https://scholar.colorado.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=population_affairs_faculty_publications
- Insurance policies and legislative measures, such as the Trump administration's executive order to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilization and the idea of "baby bonuses," have been proposed to address falling birth rates, but experts like Karen Guzzo argue that these measures do not effectively address larger needs such as parental leave and affordable childcare.
- The decline in fertility rates in the U.S. can be linked to factors such as economic uncertainties, high costs of living, and societal priorities that are shifting women to prioritize education and careers over family size.
- The drop in the U.S. total fertility rate to an all-time low of 1.599 in 2024 has implications across various sectors, including health-and-wellness, women's health, and policy-and-legislation, with potential consequences for economic stability and social structures in the country. This trend is similar to that experienced in Western European countries and Japan and South Korea, where economic pressures and changing family dynamics have contributed to lower birth rates.
){kind=link}