Over the past 30 years, the birth rate in the United States has been steadily declining, and in 2023, there were 10.7 births per 1,000 of the population. In 1990, this figure stood at 16.7 births per 1,000 of the population. Demographics have an impact The average birth rate in the U.S. may be falling, but when broken down along ethnic and economic lines, a different picture is painted: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women saw the highest birth rate in 2022 among all ethnicities, and Asian women and white women both saw the lowest birth rate. Additionally, the higher the family income, the lower the birth rate; families making between 15,000 and 24,999 U.S. dollars annually had the highest birth rate of any income bracket in the States. Life expectancy at birth In addition to the declining birth rate in the U.S., the total life expectancy at birth has also reached its lowest value recently. Studies have shown that the life expectancy of both men and women in the United States has been declining over the last few years. Declines in life expectancy, like declines in birth rates, may indicate that there are social and economic factors negatively influencing the overall population health and well-being of the country.

In the United States, the crude birth rate in 1800 was 48.3 live births per thousand people, meaning that 4.8 percent of the population had been born in that year. Between 1815 and 1825 the crude birth rate jumped from 46.5 to 54.7 (possibly due to Florida becoming a part of the US, but this is unclear), but from this point until the Second World War the crude birth rate dropped gradually, reaching 19.2 in 1935. Through the 1940s, 50s and 60s the US experienced it's baby boom, and the birth rate reached 24.1 in 1955, before dropping again until 1980. From the 1980s until today the birth rate's decline has slowed, and is expected to reach twelve in 2020, meaning that just over 1 percent of the population will be born in 2020.

The fertility rate of a country is the average number of children that women from that country will have throughout their reproductive years. In the United States in 1800, the average woman of childbearing age would have seven children over the course of their lifetime. As factors such as technology, hygiene, medicine and education improved, women were having fewer children than before, reaching just two children per woman in 1940. This changed quite dramatically in the aftermath of the Second World War, rising sharply to over 3.5 children per woman in 1960 (children born between 1946 and 1964 are nowadays known as the 'Baby Boomer' generation, and they make up roughly twenty percent of todays US population). Due to the end of the baby boom and increased access to contraception, fertility reached it's lowest point in the US in 1980, where it was just 1.77. It did however rise to over two children per woman between 1995 and 2010, although it is expected to drop again by 2020, to just 1.78.

Graph and download economic data for Fertility Rate, Total for the United States (SPDYNTFRTINUSA) from 1960 to 2023 about fertility, rate, and USA.

While the standard image of the nuclear family with two parents and 2.5 children has persisted in the American imagination, the number of births in the U.S. has steadily been decreasing since 1990, with about 3.6 million babies born in 2023. In 1990, this figure was 4.16 million. Birth and replacement rates A country’s birth rate is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 inhabitants, and it is this particularly important number that has been decreasing over the past few decades. The declining birth rate is not solely an American problem, with EU member states showing comparable rates to the U.S. Additionally, each country has what is called a “replacement rate.” The replacement rate is the rate of fertility needed to keep a population stable when compared with the death rate. In the U.S., the fertility rate needed to keep the population stable is around 2.1 children per woman, but this figure was at 1.67 in 2022. Falling birth rates Currently, there is much discussion as to what exactly is causing the birth rate to decrease in the United States. There seem to be several factors in play, including longer life expectancies, financial concerns (such as the economic crisis of 2008), and an increased focus on careers, all of which are causing people to wait longer to start a family. How international governments will handle falling populations remains to be seen, but what is clear is that the declining birth rate is a multifaceted problem without an easy solution.

This data set contains estimated teen birth rates for age group 15–19 (expressed per 1,000 females aged 15–19) by county and year. DEFINITIONS Estimated teen birth rate: Model-based estimates of teen birth rates for age group 15–19 (expressed per 1,000 females aged 15–19) for a specific county and year. Estimated county teen birth rates were obtained using the methods described elsewhere (1,2,3,4). These annual county-level teen birth estimates “borrow strength” across counties and years to generate accurate estimates where data are sparse due to small population size (1,2,3,4). The inferential method uses information—including the estimated teen birth rates from neighboring counties across years and the associated explanatory variables—to provide a stable estimate of the county teen birth rate. Median teen birth rate: The middle value of the estimated teen birth rates for the age group 15–19 for counties in a state. Bayesian credible intervals: A range of values within which there is a 95% probability that the actual teen birth rate will fall, based on the observed teen births data and the model. NOTES Data on the number of live births for women aged 15–19 years were extracted from the National Center for Health Statistics’ (NCHS) National Vital Statistics System birth data files for 2003–2015 (5). Population estimates were extracted from the files containing intercensal and postcensal bridged-race population estimates provided by NCHS. For each year, the July population estimates were used, with the exception of the year of the decennial census, 2010, for which the April estimates were used. Hierarchical Bayesian space–time models were used to generate hierarchical Bayesian estimates of county teen birth rates for each year during 2003–2015 (1,2,3,4). The Bayesian analogue of the frequentist confidence interval is defined as the Bayesian credible interval. A 100*(1-α)% Bayesian credible interval for an unknown parameter vector θ and observed data vector y is a subset C of parameter space Ф such that 1-α≤P({C│y})=∫p{θ │y}dθ, where integration is performed over the set and is replaced by summation for discrete components of θ. The probability that θ lies in C given the observed data y is at least (1- α) (6). County borders in Alaska changed, and new counties were formed and others were merged, during 2003–2015. These changes were reflected in the population files but not in the natality files. For this reason, two counties in Alaska were collapsed so that the birth and population counts were comparable. Additionally, Kalawao County, a remote island county in Hawaii, recorded no births, and census estimates indicated a denominator of 0 (i.e., no females between the ages of 15 and 19 years residing in the county from 2003 through 2015). For this reason, Kalawao County was removed from the analysis. Also , Bedford City, Virginia, was added to Bedford County in 2015 and no longer appears in the mortality file in 2015. For consistency, Bedford City was merged with Bedford County, Virginia, for the entire 2003–2015 period. Final analysis was conducted on 3,137 counties for each year from 2003 through 2015. County boundaries are consistent with the vintage 2005–2007 bridged-race population file geographies (7). SOURCES National Center for Health Statistics. Vital statistics data available online, Natality all-county files. Hyattsville, MD. Published annually. For details about file release and access policy, see NCHS data release and access policy for micro-data and compressed vital statistics files, available from: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/dvs_data_release.htm. For natality public-use files, see vital statistics data available online, available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data_access/vitalstatsonline.htm. National Center for Health Statistics. U.S. Census populations with bridged race categories. Estimated population data available. Postcensal and intercensal files. Hyattsville, MD

United States Birth Rate: 35 to 39: American Indian or Alaska Native data was reported at 36.100 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 36.300 % for 2022. United States Birth Rate: 35 to 39: American Indian or Alaska Native data is updated yearly, averaging 24.600 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.100 % in 2016 and a record low of 22.300 % in 2010. United States Birth Rate: 35 to 39: American Indian or Alaska Native data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G008: Birth Rate.

In 2023, the crude birth rate in live births per 1,000 inhabitants in the United States stood at 10.7. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 13, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

The graph illustrates the number of babies born in the United States from 1995 to 2025. The x-axis represents the years, labeled from '95 to '25, while the y-axis shows the annual number of births. Over this 30-year period, birth numbers peaked at 4,316,233 in 2007 and reached a low of 3,596,017 in 2023. The data reveals relatively stable birth rates from 1995 to 2010, with slight fluctuations, followed by a gradual decline starting around 2017. The information is presented in a line graph format, effectively highlighting the long-term downward trend in U.S. birth numbers over the specified timeframe.

Historical dataset showing U.S. birth rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Birth rate is number of live births per 1,000 people in a year. Data are for Santa Clara County residents. The measure is summarized for total county population by race/ethnicity. Data trends are from year 2000 to 2015. Source: Santa Clara County Public Health Department, 2000-2015 Birth Statistical Master File; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.METADATA:Notes (String): Lists table title, notes, sourcesYear (Numeric): Year of birthCategory (String): Lists the category representing the data: Santa Clara County is for total population, race/ethnicity: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino and White (non-Hispanic White only).Rate per 1,000 people (Numeric): Birth rate is number of live births per 1,000 people in a year.

United States Birth Rate: 40 to 44: American Indian or Alaska Native data was reported at 8.400 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.100 % for 2022. United States Birth Rate: 40 to 44: American Indian or Alaska Native data is updated yearly, averaging 5.600 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.100 % in 2022 and a record low of 5.200 % in 2010. United States Birth Rate: 40 to 44: American Indian or Alaska Native data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.G008: Birth Rate.

This dataset assembles all final birth data for females aged 15–19, 15–17, and 18–19 for the United States and each of the 50 states.

Data are based on 100% of birth certificates filed in all 50 states. All the teen birth rates in this dashboard reflect the latest revisions to Census populations (i.e., the intercensal populations) and thus provide a consistent series of accurate rates for the past 25 years. The denominators of the teen birth rates for 1991–1999 have been revised to incorporate the results of the 2000 Census. The denominators of the teen birth rates for 2001–2009 have revised to incorporate the results of the 2010 Census.

United States US: Fertility Rate: per Woman data was reported at 1.860 NA in 2050. This stayed constant from the previous number of 1.860 NA for 2049. United States US: Fertility Rate: per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 1.870 NA from Jun 2010 (Median) to 2050, with 41 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.060 NA in 2012 and a record low of 1.860 NA in 2050. United States US: Fertility Rate: per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by US Census Bureau. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.US Census Bureau: Demographic Projection.

This collection provides information on live births in the United States during calendar year 2010. The natality data in these files are a component of the vital statistics collection effort maintained by the federal government. Birth data is limited to births occurring in the United States to United States residents and nonresidents. Births occurring to United States citizens outside of the United States are not included in this data collection. Dataset 1 contains data on births occurring within the United States, while dataset 2 contains data on births occurring in the United States territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Variables describe the place of delivery, who was in attendance, and medical and health data such as the method of delivery, prenatal care, tobacco use during pregnancy, pregnancy history, medical risk factors, and infant health characteristics. Birth and fertility rates, and other statistics related to this study can be found in an Appendix to the User Guide under Detailed Technical Notes. Demographic variables include the child's sex and month and year of birth and the parents' ages, races, ethnicities, education levels, as well as the mother's marital status and residency status.

United States BED: sa: No. of Firms: Birth Rate data was reported at 3.000 % in Dec 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 3.000 % for Sep 2017. United States BED: sa: No. of Firms: Birth Rate data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.300 % from Sep 1992 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 102 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.700 % in Jun 1998 and a record low of 2.700 % in Jun 2010. United States BED: sa: No. of Firms: Birth Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Labor Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.G043: Business Employment Dynamics.

Teenage birth rate is number of live births among females ages 15 to 19 years per 1,000 females in that age group in a year. Data are for Santa Clara County residents. The measure is summarized for total county population by race/ethnicity. Teenage birth rates are presented for females ages 15 to 17, 18 to 19 and 15 to 19 years. Data trends are from year 2000 to 2015. Source: Santa Clara County Public Health Department, 2000-2015 Birth Statistical Master File; U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census.METADATA:Notes (String): Lists table title, notes, sourcesYear (Numeric): Year of birthAge group (String): Lists the age of mother at the time of birth: 15 to 17, 18 to 19 and 15 to 19 years.Category (String): Lists the category representing the data: Santa Clara County is for total population, race/ethnicity: African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Latino and White (non-Hispanic White only).Rate per 1,000 females in the age group (Numeric): Teen birth rate is number of live births to mothers ages 15 to 19 years at the time of birth per 1,000 females in that age group in a year. Rate based on birth count less than 6 in a year in the area are not presented.

Ratio: Number of live births to resident females aged 15-17

Definition: The number of live births to resident females aged 15-17, per 1,000 females in the age group.

Data Sources:

(1) Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health;

(2) National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau. Vintage 2014 bridged-race postcensal population estimates;

(3) National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau. Revised 2000-2009 bridged-race intercensal population estimates.

The total fertility rate of the world has dropped from around 5 children per woman in 1950, to 2.2 children per woman in 2025, which means that women today are having fewer than half the number of children that women did 75 years ago. Replacement level fertility This change has come as a result of the global demographic transition, and is influenced by factors such as the significant reduction in infant and child mortality, reduced number of child marriages, increased educational and vocational opportunities for women, and the increased efficacy and availability of contraception. While this change has become synonymous with societal progress, it does have wide-reaching demographic impact - if the global average falls below replacement level (roughly 2.1 children per woman), as is expected to happen in the 2050s, then this will lead to long-term population decline on a global scale. Regional variations When broken down by continent, Africa is the only region with a fertility rate above the global average, and, alongside Oceania, it is the only region with a fertility rate above replacement level. Until the 1980s, the average woman in Africa could expect to have 6-7 children over the course of their lifetime, and there are still several countries in Africa where women can still expect to have 5 or more children in 2025. Historically, Europe has had the lowest fertility rates in the world over the past century, falling below replacement level in 1975. Europe's population has grown through a combination of migration and increasing life expectancy, however even high immigration rates could not prevent its population from going into decline in 2021.

This data set contains mean teen birth rates by year for each county and state in the United States.

Hierarchical Bayesian space-time models were used to generate hierarchical Bayes estimates of county teen birth rates for each year during 2003–2015. These annual county-level estimates “borrow strength” across counties and years to generate stable estimates of teen birth rates where data are sparse due to small population size. The population estimates were extracted from the files containing inter-censal and post-censal bridged race population estimates provided by the National Center for Health Statistics. For each year, the July population estimates were used with the exception of the year of the decennial census, 2010, for which the April estimates were used.