United States Birth Rate

The United States’ birth rate has fallen from its all‑time peak of 23.70 in 1960 to a trough of 10.48 in 2025, placing the country 139th globally and ranking it alongside peers such as New Zealand (10.61) and Australia (10.62). Over the 65‑year span, the decline reflects sustained reductions in fertility, rising participation of women in higher education and the labor force, and broader socioeconomic shifts that have delayed family formation. The steepest drops occurred during the 1970s and 1980s as contraceptive use expanded, while the early 2000s saw a modest stabilization before the recent acceleration toward double‑digit lows. Despite occasional upticks linked to immigration and short‑term policy incentives, the long‑run trajectory remains downward. Future changes in parental leave policies, child‑care affordability, or immigration reforms could alter the path, but absent such interventions the birth rate is likely to continue its gradual decline.