U.S. birthrate continues to fall : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- U.S. women gave birth to approximately 710,000 fewer children in 2025 compared to the peak in 2007, marking a 23% decline in the general fertility rate over this period, according to CDC data.
- The total number of births in 2025 was 3.6 million, down from 4.3 million in 2007, despite population growth, reflecting a long-term downward fertility trend.
- Experts attribute the decline to various factors including economic conditions, cultural shifts, and improved access to education and contraception, though the exact reasons remain unclear.
- The declining birth rate, combined with reduced immigration, is expected to lead to an aging population and slower population growth, with projections indicating 8 million fewer U.S. residents by 2055.
- A notable positive trend is a 7% drop in teenage birth rates in 2025, which public health officials view as significant progress.
