Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Births in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
The birth rate in the United States has decreased significantly over the past few decades, raising concerns among experts. In 2023, there were around 10.7 births in the U.S. per 1,000 population, compared to 16.7 births per 1,000 population in 1990. The fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman of childbearing age (15 to 44 years) can expect to have in her lifetime, was 1.62 in 2023, the lowest rate ever recorded. In order to sustain the current population, the United States needs a fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman. A declining population could have devasting impacts on the U.S. economy as there are fewer workers to support programs like Social Security and Medicare or to provide services to the large number of elderly people who require care. The reasons behind the declining birth and fertility rates in the U.S. are complex but include personal factors such as changing priorities among women and the high cost of living including student loan debt, housing costs, and the cost of child care.
Who has the highest birth rates in the United States?
Birth rates differ depending on various factors, including a woman’s age, race or ethnicity, income, and education. Unsurprisingly, birth rates are by far highest among women aged 20 to 34 years, with 83 births per 1,000 women in this age group in 2023. Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander women have the highest birth rates among various races and ethnicities with 79 births per 1,000 women, compared to 51 births per 1,000 white women. Following the general decreasing trend in birth rates, teen birth rates have dropped significantly in recent decades. In 2023, there were around 13 teen births per 1,000 women, compared to a rate of 62 per 1,000 in the year 1991. However, teen birth rates vary greatly from state to state, with Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana reporting the highest rates.Different types of births and their cost
If a birth could possibly put the health of the mother or child at risk, it may be necessary to have a cesarean delivery. Around 32 percent of all live births in the United States are delivered by cesarean section, while a further .4 percent are delivered by forceps, and 2.3 percent by vacuum extraction. In 2023, the national median cost for a vaginal delivery for a women with insurance, including the amount paid for by the women and her health plan, was almost 14 thousand U.S. dollars, while a C-section cost around 17 thousand dollars. These costs rose significantly for people without insurance, with a C-section costing around 37.7 thousand dollars. At that time, there were estimated to be around 25 million people in the U.S. without health insurance.
