THE National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has reported that the United States is experiencing its lowest birth rate since 1979.
In year 2023, only three point fifty nine million births were recorded, a significant drop compared to previous years.
The general fertility rate has also fallen, down by three percent from the previous year to fifty-four point four births per one thousand women aged fifteen to forty-four .
The total fertility rate is now at one point sixty one, below the replacement level of two point one since year two thousand seven.
Factors contributing to this decline include financial concerns, unstable work hours, and lack of paid leave, according to experts like Karen Guzzo from the university of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Issues such as economic strain, student loans, and healthcare costs are also influencing family planning decisions among Americans.
While unplanned pregnancies among teenagers have decreased, birth rates for those twenty to twenty four years old have also dropped significantly since year two thousand seven.
Only Hispanic women have seen a slight increase in birth rates.
Similar trends are observed in other wealthy nations, suggesting broader societal issues like economic instability and uncertainty.
In contrast, countries in sub-Saharan Africa report higher birth rates.
