US Birth Rates Decline with Record Low in Teen Births

In 2023, the United States witnessed a decline in birth rates, reaching a record low for teenage births, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. The provisional data indicates that the overall number of births decreased by 2% from the previous year. This continuation of a downward trend that began in the mid-2010s saw the teen birth rate drop to 13.2 births per 1,000 females aged 15 to 19, a significant reduction from its 1991 peak.

The decline in birth rates was not limited to teenagers; it also extended to women in their twenties and thirties, with the most substantial decrease of 5% observed among American Indian and Alaska Native women. Women over 40 were the only demographic to experience an increase in birth rates, as more women are choosing to pursue education and careers before starting families.

The CDC attributes the decrease in teen pregnancies to a combination of factors, including increased abstinence and greater use of birth control among sexually active teens. Meanwhile, cesarean delivery rates have seen a slight uptick, with 32.4% of all births in 2023 being performed via C-section, which raises concerns about the associated costs.

The data, based on 99.9% of birth certificates filed and subject to finalization, also reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth rates. After a decade-long drop, birth rates slightly increased for two consecutive years following 2019, likely due to delayed pregnancies during the pandemic's early stages, before resuming their decline. The findings present an evolving demographic landscape in the US, with shifts in fertility patterns and reproductive behaviors.