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.

United States Total Fertility Rate: White data was reported at 1,532.500 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,568.000 % for 2022. United States Total Fertility Rate: White data is updated yearly, averaging 1,947.500 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,137.000 % in 2007 and a record low of 21.000 % in 2009. United States Total Fertility Rate: White 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.G013: Fertility Rate.

Fertility Rate, Total for the United States was 1.61650 Births per Woman in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Fertility Rate, Total for the United States reached a record high of 3.65400 in January of 1960 and a record low of 1.61650 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Fertility Rate, Total for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

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.

United States Birth Rate: White data was reported at 9.300 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.500 % for 2022. United States Birth Rate: White data is updated yearly, averaging 13.700 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 15.800 % in 1990 and a record low of 9.300 % in 2023. United States Birth Rate: White 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.

Adolescent Fertility Rate for the United States was 13.14500 Births per 1,000 Women Ages 15-19 in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Adolescent Fertility Rate for the United States reached a record high of 81.74100 in January of 1960 and a record low of 13.14500 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Adolescent Fertility Rate for the United States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

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.

United States Birth Rate: Black data was reported at 11.700 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.300 % for 2022. United States Birth Rate: Black data is updated yearly, averaging 16.300 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.400 % in 1990 and a record low of 11.700 % in 2023. United States Birth Rate: Black 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.

United States US: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data was reported at 1.800 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.843 Ratio for 2015. United States US: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data is updated yearly, averaging 2.002 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.654 Ratio in 1960 and a record low of 1.738 Ratio in 1976. United States US: Fertility Rate: Total: Births per Woman data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Health Statistics. Total fertility rate represents the number of children that would be born to a woman if she were to live to the end of her childbearing years and bear children in accordance with age-specific fertility rates of the specified year.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average; Relevance to gender indicator: it can indicate the status of women within households and a woman’s decision about the number and spacing of children.

United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Other Small States was 2.01692 Births per Woman in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Other Small States reached a record high of 5.69293 in January of 1959 and a record low of 2.01692 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Other Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

United States Total Fertility Rate: Black data was reported at 1,581.000 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,639.000 % for 2022. United States Total Fertility Rate: Black data is updated yearly, averaging 2,062.000 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,480.000 % in 1990 and a record low of 1,581.000 % in 2023. United States Total Fertility Rate: Black 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.G013: Fertility Rate.

United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Caribbean Small States was 1.95954 Births per Woman in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Caribbean Small States reached a record high of 5.61368 in January of 1961 and a record low of 1.95954 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Fertility Rate, Total for Caribbean Small States - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on December of 2025.

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.

United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Black data was reported at 53.700 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 56.100 % for 2022. United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Black data is updated yearly, averaging 68.500 % from Dec 1985 (Median) to 2023, with 39 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 86.800 % in 1990 and a record low of 53.700 % in 2023. United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Black 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.G013: Fertility Rate.

United States Total Fertility Rate: Hispanic data was reported at 1,946.000 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,969.500 % for 2022. United States Total Fertility Rate: Hispanic data is updated yearly, averaging 2,680.500 % from Dec 1989 (Median) to 2023, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,043.000 % in 1992 and a record low of 1,879.500 % in 2020. United States Total Fertility Rate: Hispanic 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.G013: Fertility Rate.

United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander data was reported at 73.200 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 74.800 % for 2022. United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander data is updated yearly, averaging 72.950 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2023, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 74.900 % in 2019 and a record low of 71.500 % in 2021. United States Fertility Rate: 15 to 44 Yrs: Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander 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.G013: Fertility Rate.

United States - Adolescent Fertility Rate for World was 39.06898 Births per 1,000 Women Ages 15-19 in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Adolescent Fertility Rate for World reached a record high of 86.52337 in January of 1952 and a record low of 39.06898 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Adolescent Fertility Rate for World - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on November of 2025.

The percentage of births to unmarried women in the United States has more than doubled since 1980, reaching 40 percent in 2023. This significant shift in family structure reflects changing societal norms and demographic trends over the past four decades. The rise in births outside of marriage has implications for family dynamics, social support systems, and public policy. Age and ethnicity factors in birth rates While the overall percentage of births to unmarried women has stabilized around 40 percent in recent years, birth rates vary significantly across age groups and ethnicities. Unsurprisingly, in 2023, women between 20 and 34 years old had the highest birth rate at 83 births per 1,000 women, while teenagers aged 15 to 19 had the lowest rate at 8 births per 1,000 women. Additionally, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women had the highest fertility rate among all race/ethnicities in 2022, with approximately 2,237.5 births per 1,000 women, compared to the national average of 1,656.5 births per 1,000 women. Changing household structures The increase in births to unmarried women has contributed to evolving household structures in the United States. In 2023, there were approximately 15.18 million families with a single mother, a significant increase from previous decades. This trend aligns with the overall rise in births outside of marriage and suggests a growing need for support systems and policies that address the unique challenges faced by single-parent households.