The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) paints a sobering picture of birth trends in the United States. In 2023, just under 3.6 million babies were born, marking a decline of about 76,000 from the previous year. This figure represents the lowest annual birth count since 1979, resuming a downward trajectory that had been observed for over a decade prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While there was a brief uptick in births in the immediate aftermath of the pandemic’s onset, attributed in part to postponed pregnancies, the latest statistics indicate a return to pre-pandemic trends. Nicholas Mark, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin, noted that the increase observed in recent years seems to have plateaued, signaling a regression to the previous declining patterns.
Historically, birth rates have shown a decline among teenagers and younger women, juxtaposed with an increase among women in their 30s and 40s, reflecting shifting priorities related to education and career pursuits. However, the data from 2023 revealed a departure from this trend, with birth rates declining across all age groups under 40, and remaining stagnant for women in their 40s, a development deemed unexpected by experts.
Moreover, the decline in birth rates was observed across nearly all racial and ethnic groups, underscoring the widespread nature of this trend. While the provisional nature of the data leaves room for potential adjustments, CDC researchers indicated that the substantial decline observed in the preliminary numbers is unlikely to be entirely offset by subsequent revisions.
Of particular concern is the stagnation observed in the birth rates among teenagers, a demographic that had previously experienced a steady decline in birth rates over the years. Dr. John Santelli of Columbia University highlighted this trend as potentially indicative of broader challenges in sex education and access to contraception for adolescents.
Additional insights from the report revealed a decline in births among certain racial and ethnic groups, a steady prevalence of preterm births, and an ongoing rise in cesarean section rates, prompting concerns regarding potential overuse of this procedure. Moreover, the fertility rate in the U.S. has continued its downward trajectory, reaching a record low of approximately 1.6 children per woman in 2023.
Survey data suggests that many couples in the U.S. express a desire for larger families but cite obstacles such as housing affordability, job security, and the cost of childcare as significant barriers to realizing this goal.