According to CBS News, the U.S. birth rate has dropped below 1.6 in 2024, marking one of the lowest points in American history. Specifically, the number now sits at 1.599 births per woman, down from 1.621 in 2023, according to the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. This puts the U.S. well below the replacement level birth rate of 2.1, which is the rate needed for the population to sustain itself without immigration naturally.
Experts say the decline comes as more American women are waiting longer to have children — or deciding not to have them at all.
Women in Their 20s and Early 30s Are Having Fewer Kids — Here’s Why
While birth rates among women in their late 30s have stayed steady, the biggest drops are coming from women in their 20s and early 30s — traditionally the peak childbearing years. Many women today are prioritizing their careers before starting families, choosing to focus on professional growth and financial independence first. At the same time, economic insecurity plays a major role — with rising inflation, housing costs, student debt, and expensive health insurance, many couples say having a child just isn’t financially feasible. On top of that, more people are delaying marriage or opting out of it altogether, which often leads to postponing or completely rethinking family planning.
The Bigger Picture: U.S. Joins Global Decline in Birth Rates
The United States isn’t alone in this. Countries like Japan, South Korea, Italy, and Germany have all experienced similar or even sharper declines in birth rates. The U.S. was once among the few developed countries maintaining a birth rate near 2.1. Now, it’s falling in line with global trends — and that raises concerns about long-term population decline, labor shortages, and the economic future of younger generations.
If things don’t change, experts say the U.S. could see a future where there are more retirees than working-age adults — putting serious pressure on Social Security, Medicare, and the job market. It reflects the growing hesitation among young Americans to start families in a world where financial instability, healthcare challenges, and personal freedom are top priorities. And with the government’s past efforts showing limited success, it’s clear this isn’t just about policy — it’s about values, cost, and culture.