This paper documents a set of facts about the dramatic decline in birth rates in the United States between 2007 and 2020 and explores possible explanations for it. The overall reduction in the birth rate reflects both very large declines within certain groups of women, including teens and Hispanic women – and smaller declines among demographic groups that comprise a large population share, including college-educated white women. We explore potential economic, policy, and social factors that might be responsible for the overall decline. We conclude from our empirical examination of possible factors that there is not a readily identifiable economic or policy factor or set of factors this is likely responsible for a substantial share of the decline. Instead, the patterns observed suggest that widespread, hard to quantify changes in preferences for having children, aspirations for life, and the nature of parenting are more likely behind the recent decline in US births. We conclude with a brief discussion about the societal consequences for a declining birth rate and what the United States might do about it.

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 2024, the average number of children born per 1,000 people in China ranged at ****. The birth rate has dropped considerably since 2016, and the number of births fell below the number of deaths in 2022 for the first time in decades, leading to a negative population growth rate. Recent development of the birth rate Similar to most East-Asian countries and territories, demographics in China today are characterized by a very low fertility rate. As low fertility in the long-term limits economic growth and leads to heavy strains on the pension and health systems, the Chinese government decided to support childbirth by gradually relaxing strict birth control measures, that had been in place for three decades. However, the effect of this policy change was considerably smaller than expected. The birth rate increased from **** births per 1,000 inhabitants in 2010 to ***** births in 2012 and remained on a higher level for a couple of years, but then dropped again to a new low in 2018. This illustrates that other factors constrain the number of births today. These factors are most probably similar to those experienced in other developed countries as well: women preferring career opportunities over maternity, high costs for bringing up children, and changed social norms, to name only the most important ones. Future demographic prospects Between 2020 and 2023, the birth rate in China dropped to formerly unknown lows, most probably influenced by the coronavirus pandemic. As all COVID-19 restrictions were lifted by the end of 2022, births figures showed a catch-up effect in 2024. However, the scope of the rebound might be limited. A population breakdown by five-year age groups indicates that the drop in the number of births is also related to a shrinking number of people with child-bearing age. The age groups between 15 and 29 years today are considerably smaller than those between 30 and 44, leaving less space for the birth rate to increase. This effect is exacerbated by a considerable gender gap within younger age groups in China, with the number of females being much lower than that of males.

Economic growth and modernization of society are generally associated with fertility rate decreases but which forces trigger this is unclear. In this paper we assess how fertility changes with increased labor market participation of women in rural Senegal. Evidence from high-income countries suggests that higher female employment rates lead to reduced fertility rates but evidence from developing countries at an early stage of demographic transition is largely absent. We concentrate on a rural area in northern Senegal where a recent boom in horticultural exports has been associated with a sudden increase in female off-farm employment. Using survey data we show that employed women have a significantly higher age at marriage and at first childbirth, and significantly fewer children. As causal identification strategy we use instrumental variable and difference-in-differences estimations, combined with propensity score matching. We find that female employment reduces the number of children per woman by 25%, and that this fertility-reducing effect is as large for poor as for non-poor women and larger for illiterate than for literate women. Results imply that female employment is a strong instrument for empowering rural women, reducing fertility rates and accelerating the demographic transition in poor countries. The effectiveness of family planning programs can increase if targeted to areas where female employment is increasing or to female employees directly because of a higher likelihood to reach women with low-fertility preferences. Our results show that changes in fertility preferences not necessarily result from a cultural evolution but can also be driven by sudden and individual changes in economic opportunities.

Over the past 30 years, the birth rate in the United States has been steadily declining, and in 2022, there were 11 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 in recent years. Studies have shown that the life expectancy of both men and women in the United States has declined as of 2021. 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 2021, the birth rate in the United States was highest in families that had under 10,000 U.S. dollars in income per year, at 62.75 births per 1,000 women. As the income scale increases, the birth rate decreases, with families making 200,000 U.S. dollars or more per year having the second-lowest birth rate, at 47.57 births per 1,000 women. Income and the birth rate Income and high birth rates are strongly linked, not just in the United States, but around the world. Women in lower income brackets tend to have higher birth rates across the board. There are many factors at play in birth rates, such as the education level of the mother, ethnicity of the mother, and even where someone lives. The fertility rate in the United States The fertility rate in the United States has declined in recent years, and it seems that more and more women are waiting longer to begin having children. Studies have shown that the average age of the mother at the birth of their first child in the United States was 27.4 years old, although this figure varies for different ethnic origins.

The fertility rates have fallen in all five Nordic countries over the last years. However, in 2021, the birth rates increased again in all five Nordics countries, besides in Sweden, where the fertility rate stayed the same. This can be explained by the higher number of babies born during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Iceland had the highest fertility rate of the Nordic countries, with 1.6 children born per woman in reproductive age. The global trend of decreasing fertility The Nordics are not the only region with decreasing fertility rates. Globally, fertility rates have been on a steady decline since 2000. While lower-income countries have had more significant declines, they still have more children born per woman than higher-income countries. In 2000, almost 6 children were born per woman in low-income countries, decreasing to 4.62 in 2021. By comparison, nearly 1.71 children were born per woman in high-income countries, falling slightly to 1.55 by 2021. Overall, in 2023, Niger, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo had the highest fertility rates, while Taiwan, South Korea, and Singapore had the lowest fertility rates. Impacts of low fertility Greater access to education, challenges between work-life balance, and the costs of raising children can all be linked to falling fertility rates. However, this decline is not without consequences, and many countries are facing social and economic challenges because of aging and shrinking populations. For example, in Japan, where nearly 30 percent of the country is aged 65 or older, an increasing proportion of the government expenditure is going towards social security benefits. Moreover, the very low unemployment rate in Japan can partially be attributed to having a shrinking labor force and fewer people to support the economy.

Many developed countries have recently experienced sharp increases in home birth rates. This paper investigates the impact of home births on the health of low-risk newborns using data from the Netherlands, the only developed country where home births are widespread. To account for endogeneity in location of birth, we exploit the exogenous variation in distance from a mother's residence to the closest hospital. We find that giving birth in a hospital leads to substantial reductions in newborn mortality. We provide suggestive evidence that proximity to medical technologies may be an important channel contributing to these health gains. (JEL I11, I12, J13, J16)

With the decrease in fertility rate and the extension of life expectancy, China’s ageing degree is deepening, and there is a decrease in the number of labor force individuals, leading to an increase in the burden of old-age care and constraining economic growth. The improvement of human capital can promote economic growth. Research is rquired to determine whether factors such as the teacher-student ratio (quality of education) and the average number of years of schooling (quantity of education) can help alleviate the negative impacts of ageing. The findings demonstrate that education, both in terms of quantity and quality, can successfully reduce the detrimental consequences of ageing. The threshold effect model’s findings indicate that both the amount and quality of education can be more effective in reducing the negative impacts of ageing when average years of education surpass 10.87 years and the teacher-student ratio hits 7.80 (780 instructors per 1000 pupils). The results of heterogeneity analysis reveal that both the quantity and quality of education could potentially mitigate the negative effects of ageing in the eastern and western regions, although these factors do not seem to have the same effect in the central region. In the northern and southern regions, it is found that while the quantity of education can help alleviate the negative effects of ageing, the quality of education is effective only in the southern region and not in the northern region. Therefore, one potential strategy to counteract the adverse effects of ageing with a declining number of children is to increase the teacher-student ratio and extend the duration of free education.

Israel's total fertility rate has remained relatively stable over the past decade, with a slight decrease to **** births per woman in 2023. This high fertility rate, coupled with an increasing life expectancy, contributes to Israel's unique demographic situation among developed nations. The country's population growth is expected to continue, driven by these factors and a birth rate that outpaces the death rate. Diverse population and immigration impact Israel's demographic landscape is shaped by its diverse population and history of immigration. As of the end of 2024, the number of permanent residents in the country reached some *** million. Of them, some ** percent were Jews and ** percent Arabs. In the decade following the fall of the Soviet Union, about *********** Jewish immigrants arrived in the country. This wave of immigration has contributed to the country's cultural diversity and economic high-tech boom. Economic growth and declining unemployment As Israel's population continues to expand, its economy is also projected to grow. Gross domestic product (GDP) is forecast to increase by over a quarter between 2024 and 2029. Simultaneously, the unemployment rate has fallen to its lowest level in recent years, hitting **** percent in 2023. This combination of population growth, economic expansion, and low unemployment suggests a robust economic outlook.

With the decrease in fertility rate and the extension of life expectancy, China’s ageing degree is deepening, and there is a decrease in the number of labor force individuals, leading to an increase in the burden of old-age care and constraining economic growth. The improvement of human capital can promote economic growth. Research is rquired to determine whether factors such as the teacher-student ratio (quality of education) and the average number of years of schooling (quantity of education) can help alleviate the negative impacts of ageing. The findings demonstrate that education, both in terms of quantity and quality, can successfully reduce the detrimental consequences of ageing. The threshold effect model’s findings indicate that both the amount and quality of education can be more effective in reducing the negative impacts of ageing when average years of education surpass 10.87 years and the teacher-student ratio hits 7.80 (780 instructors per 1000 pupils). The results of heterogeneity analysis reveal that both the quantity and quality of education could potentially mitigate the negative effects of ageing in the eastern and western regions, although these factors do not seem to have the same effect in the central region. In the northern and southern regions, it is found that while the quantity of education can help alleviate the negative effects of ageing, the quality of education is effective only in the southern region and not in the northern region. Therefore, one potential strategy to counteract the adverse effects of ageing with a declining number of children is to increase the teacher-student ratio and extend the duration of free education.

In 2024, the number of births in South Korea stood at *******, a slight increase compared to the previous year. Around two decades earlier, this number was twice as high. Declining fertility in South Korea A phenomenon that most East Asian countries and territories grapple with is a stark decline in fertility rates. This is especially evident in South Korea, which has the lowest fertility rate in the world, far below the 2.1 children per woman threshold that represents replacement fertility. In response to the expected economic consequences of a declining population, South Korea has implemented various initiatives to encourage married couples to have children. Factors contributing to low birth rates in South Korea One major element is the societal change in attitudes toward childbirth. In a survey, half of the South Korean respondents asserted that marriages can be happy without children, and a sizable share also stated that having children was dependent on economic factors. In addition, an increasing number of South Koreans are choosing not to get married. In 2023, South Korea recorded one of the lowest numbers of marriages in its history. Furthermore, there has been a growing trend among South Korean women to prioritize their financial independence and career continuity over traditional expectations of childbearing.

As per the latest report of Cognitive Market Research, The size of the global market for fertility tests was estimated at USD $ 1.32 Billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow to USD $ 1.86 Billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2030. Factors Affecting Fertility Testing Market Growth

Rising Average Age of First-time Pregnancies

The fertility test market is anticipated to grow due to rising number of patients. According to the market study, the average age of first pregnancies has increased significantly globally as an outcome of the decline in first pregnancies among adolescent girls and the rise in first conceptions among women over 30. Women around the world are increasingly preferring to postpone their initial pregnancies; according to the OECD, women give birth at an average age of 30 or more; thus, the market’s expansion is fueled by the rising number of first-time pregnancies. Lowers rates of male and female fertility, and greater knowledge of cutting-edge fertility testing techniques are driving the fertility test market.

Restraining Factor of Fertility Testing

Lower precision of ovulation prediction kits 

The fertility test market will restrain the market growth due to use of ovulation prediction kits, The luteinizing hormone (LH) surge occurring every 24-36 hours during ovulation is measured by ovulation prediction kits. However, ovulation cannot be precisely confirmed using these kits. Ovulation predictors are not accurate in cases like luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome. Only LH can be detected by ovulation monitors; Additionally, the urine is ineffective when it contains the fertility medicine Pergonal or the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). The fact that these kits do not work for women in their 40s (particularly those who are close to menopause) due to elevated levels of LH is another significant disadvantage. These drawbacks of ovulation monitors reduce their predictive power, which is preventing end users from using them.

Current Trends on Fertility Test Market Technology:

Technological development in fertility test market technology:

Nowadays, a lot of businesses and organizations host annual events like camps to educate people about fertility testing. Moreover, the market for fertility testing may expand due to the introduction of increasingly advanced tools and changes in lifestyle. For instance, Modern fertility introduced the pregnancy and ovulation test kit. In order to collect all data regarding fertility, they also released an exclusive app. The company's effort to bring fertility into popular wellness is aided by the app, which helps in reading and recording test results. Similarly, Proov's at-home ovulation testing kit was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in March 2020. The revised Ovusense app (OvuSense V.2) was released by Fertility Focus Limited in May 2019. It has improved accuracy and flexibility in data. However, the market for fertility tests may be constrained by the ovulation monitors' dubious accuracy in PCOS/PCOD patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the fertility test Technology Market:

The outbreak of COVID-19 has witnessed a significant impact on the fertility test market's growth. The pregnancy kit market has been affected by the pandemic in various ways on the one hand, many couples anticipated getting conceived during the epidemic because of the extra time the lockdowns offered. On the other hand, several organizations predict that the COVID-19 economic crisis will have an impact on birth rates, resulting in fewer million babies, as well as associated unemployment, an increase in marital violence, and decreased access to healthcare during the antenatal period. According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, all fertility patients are thinking about All patients considering or planning treatment.COVID-19 is predicted to have a substantial market share in the fertility test market. Introduction of Fertility Testing

The market for ovulation tests gives people the chance to find out if they can get pregnant naturally or not. A medical and physical assessment called a fertility test measures a person’s capacity to conceive naturally. Growing older is one of the factors that might impair fertility; therefore, women and men who are 35 or older and are having trouble becoming pregnant even after s...

The global baby carriage market is a dynamic sector experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing birth rates in several regions and rising disposable incomes, particularly in developing economies. The market's expansion is further fueled by evolving consumer preferences towards lightweight, feature-rich strollers offering enhanced convenience and safety. Technological advancements, such as improved suspension systems, integrated safety features (like brakes and harnesses), and innovative designs catering to diverse lifestyles (jogging strollers, travel systems) are key drivers. While the market size and CAGR are not provided, based on industry reports and the presence of numerous established and emerging players like Good Baby, Combi, and UPPAbaby, we can reasonably assume a market size in the billions of dollars with a CAGR in the low to mid-single digits annually. This moderate growth reflects market maturity in developed regions but significant potential in emerging markets. The market is segmented by product type (e.g., prams, strollers, travel systems), material, price range, and distribution channel (online vs. offline). Competitive pressures are intense, with manufacturers focusing on product differentiation, brand building, and expanding their global reach through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. The key restraints impacting the market include fluctuating raw material prices, stringent safety regulations, and the economic impact on consumer spending. However, the rising demand for premium and specialized baby carriages, coupled with increased online sales and the adoption of omnichannel strategies, present significant opportunities for growth. Regional variations exist, with developed markets exhibiting slower growth compared to developing regions experiencing rapid urbanization and a burgeoning middle class. The forecast period (2025-2033) suggests continued expansion, albeit at a potentially moderated pace compared to previous periods. Understanding evolving consumer preferences, adapting to technological advancements, and adopting sustainable manufacturing practices will be crucial for success in this competitive landscape. The long-term outlook remains positive, driven by consistent demand for safe, convenient, and technologically advanced baby carriages.

With the decrease in fertility rate and the extension of life expectancy, China’s ageing degree is deepening, and there is a decrease in the number of labor force individuals, leading to an increase in the burden of old-age care and constraining economic growth. The improvement of human capital can promote economic growth. Research is rquired to determine whether factors such as the teacher-student ratio (quality of education) and the average number of years of schooling (quantity of education) can help alleviate the negative impacts of ageing. The findings demonstrate that education, both in terms of quantity and quality, can successfully reduce the detrimental consequences of ageing. The threshold effect model’s findings indicate that both the amount and quality of education can be more effective in reducing the negative impacts of ageing when average years of education surpass 10.87 years and the teacher-student ratio hits 7.80 (780 instructors per 1000 pupils). The results of heterogeneity analysis reveal that both the quantity and quality of education could potentially mitigate the negative effects of ageing in the eastern and western regions, although these factors do not seem to have the same effect in the central region. In the northern and southern regions, it is found that while the quantity of education can help alleviate the negative effects of ageing, the quality of education is effective only in the southern region and not in the northern region. Therefore, one potential strategy to counteract the adverse effects of ageing with a declining number of children is to increase the teacher-student ratio and extend the duration of free education.

Using pre-industrial rural Estonia as an example, the article studies fertility response to short-term economic stress in a manorial society in eastern Europe. It considers whether the fertility response to rye price fluctuations was deliberate and whether it was socially differentiated. It appears that an increase in the price of rye resulted in the drop of conceptions within the next year and the magnitude of the impact on fertility was roughly similar to that in several other European settings in the 19th century. As long as the manorial system was maintained, farmers were more sensitive to price hikes than the landless, but with the decline of the mutual economic dependence between manors and farms, the landless laborers became more vulnerable to price increases. Our analysis of the timing of the fertility response reveals no deliberate postponement of conceptions immediately before or after the low harvests or price increases. Instead, conceptions dropped only in the spring and summer season of the next year, indicating a non-deliberate and spontaneous response.

In 2023, the number of births in South Korea stood at 230,028, recording the lowest figure during the given period. Around two decades earlier, this number was twice as high. Declining fertility in South Korea A phenomenon that most East Asian countries and territories grapple with is a stark decline in fertility rates. This is especially evident in South Korea, which has the lowest fertility rate in the world, far below the 2.1 children per woman threshold that represents replacement fertility. In response to the expected economic consequences of a declining population, South Korea has implemented various initiatives to encourage married couples to have children. Factors contributing to low birth rates in South Korea One major element is the societal change in attitudes toward childbirth. In a survey, half of South Korean respondents asserted that marriages can be happy without children, and a sizeable share also stated that having children was dependent on economic factors. In addition, an increasing number of South Koreans are choosing not to get married – In 2023, South Korea recorded one of the lowest numbers of marriages in its history. Furthermore, there has been a growing trend among South Korean women to prioritize their financial independence and career continuity over traditional childbearing expectations.

With the decrease in fertility rate and the extension of life expectancy, China’s ageing degree is deepening, and there is a decrease in the number of labor force individuals, leading to an increase in the burden of old-age care and constraining economic growth. The improvement of human capital can promote economic growth. Research is rquired to determine whether factors such as the teacher-student ratio (quality of education) and the average number of years of schooling (quantity of education) can help alleviate the negative impacts of ageing. The findings demonstrate that education, both in terms of quantity and quality, can successfully reduce the detrimental consequences of ageing. The threshold effect model’s findings indicate that both the amount and quality of education can be more effective in reducing the negative impacts of ageing when average years of education surpass 10.87 years and the teacher-student ratio hits 7.80 (780 instructors per 1000 pupils). The results of heterogeneity analysis reveal that both the quantity and quality of education could potentially mitigate the negative effects of ageing in the eastern and western regions, although these factors do not seem to have the same effect in the central region. In the northern and southern regions, it is found that while the quantity of education can help alleviate the negative effects of ageing, the quality of education is effective only in the southern region and not in the northern region. Therefore, one potential strategy to counteract the adverse effects of ageing with a declining number of children is to increase the teacher-student ratio and extend the duration of free education.

In 2024, around **** million babies were born in China. The number of births has increased slightly from **** million in the previous year, but is much lower than the ***** million births recorded in 2016. Demographic development in China In 2022, the Chinese population decreased for the first time in decades, and population decline is expected to accelerate in the upcoming years. To curb the negative effects of an aging population, the Chinese government decided in 2013 to gradually relax the so called one-child-policy, which had been in effect since 1979. From 2016 onwards, parents in China were allowed to have two children in general. However, as the recent figures of births per year reveal, this policy change had only short-term effects on the general birth rate: the number of births slightly increased from 2014 onwards, but then started to fell again in 2018. In 2024, China was the second most populous country in the world, overtaken by India that year. China’s aging population The Chinese society is aging rapidly and facing a serious demographic shift towards older age groups. The median age of China’s population has increased massively from about ** years in 1970 to **** years in 2020 and is projected to rise continuously until 2080. In 2020, approximately **** percent of the Chinese were 60 years and older, a figure that is forecast to rise as high as ** percent by 2060. This shift in demographic development will increase social and elderly support expenditure of the society as a whole. One measure for this social imbalance is the old-age dependency ratio, measuring the relationship between economic dependent older age groups and the working-age population. The old-age dependency ratio in China is expected to soar to ** percent in 2060, implying that by then three working-age persons will have to support two elderly persons.

The global medical-grade silicone pacifier market, valued at $137 million in 2025, is projected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing awareness of the health benefits of silicone over other materials like rubber or latex. Parents are increasingly seeking pacifiers made from BPA-free, non-toxic materials, fueling demand for medical-grade silicone options. The market segmentation reveals a strong preference for pacifiers suitable for different age groups (0-6 months, 6-18 months, and 18+ months), with the 0-6 months segment likely holding the largest market share due to higher infant populations. Online sales channels are gaining traction, reflecting the convenience and accessibility of e-commerce platforms for busy parents. Major players like MAM, Pigeon, and Avent are aggressively competing through product innovation, focusing on features like orthodontic shapes and soothing textures, driving market expansion. However, the market faces challenges like price sensitivity among consumers and the potential for substitution with less expensive alternatives. Regional variations are also expected, with developed markets like North America and Europe exhibiting higher per capita consumption compared to emerging economies in Asia Pacific and Africa. The market's growth trajectory is anticipated to be moderated by fluctuations in birth rates and overall economic conditions. A projected CAGR of 3.5% suggests a consistent, if not explosive, expansion over the forecast period (2025-2033). The ongoing preference for premium baby products and increasing disposable incomes in developing countries will contribute to market growth. However, regulatory changes related to baby product safety and stringent quality standards could impact the market dynamics. The competitive landscape is marked by both established brands and emerging players, fostering innovation and driving competition. Geographical expansion strategies by leading players, particularly in untapped markets in Asia and Africa, will be a critical factor in shaping future growth. The segment for older babies (18+ months) may demonstrate slower growth compared to the younger age groups, as pacifier use tends to decline as children develop. Continued focus on educating parents about the benefits of medical-grade silicone and addressing concerns regarding the longevity and safety of these products will be crucial for driving market expansion. Further research into innovative designs and functionalities is expected to increase consumer appeal and maintain the market's momentum.