Economists blame America's plummeting fertility rates on the rise of the iPhone

Key Points:

• New research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research links the introduction of the iPhone to significant declines in U.S. birth rates, especially among teenagers aged 15 to 19, with reductions ranging from 4.5% to 8%.
• The study used a natural experiment comparing regions with and without AT&T’s exclusive iPhone distribution from 2007 to 2011, finding that greater iPhone availability correlated with lower fertility rates even after controlling for economic and urban factors.
• Despite economic recovery post-2008 recession, birth rates continued to fall, suggesting factors beyond financial hardship, such as changes in social behavior and reduced in-person interactions, may contribute to declining fertility.
• Psychologists have linked increased smartphone use to mental health challenges and decreased social and sexual activity among younger generations, which may further explain the drop in birth rates and changing attitudes toward relationships.
• The research highlights potential long-term economic and social consequences of sustained low fertility, emphasizing the need for policy interventions informed by a deeper understanding of technology’s impact on emotional wellbeing and reproductive choices.