The number of births in the U.S. and its fertility rate have declined from a year ago, continuing a general trend downward, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2023, the number of births in the U.S. was about 3.6 million, down 2% from 2022, the CDC's provisional data showed, and the general fertility rate was 54.4 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 44, down 3% from 2022.
The birth rate is lower than the one recorded in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The provisional data doesn't show the birth rate by state, but the map below shows the states with the lowest and highest fertility rates in 2021, the most recent year that data is available for state-by-state breakdowns.
The CDC's provisional 2023 data shows that the birth rate for 15- to 19-year-olds fell 3 percent from 2022.
Meanwhile, new mothers continue to get older—a shift accelerated by the Great Recession, according to a Pew Research Center study, and tied to rising educational achievements, greater female workforce engagement and postponed marriages. The largest decline in births year-on-year was recorded among women in their 20s, while women in their late 30s saw the smallest decline in births, less than 1 percent. Women over 40 saw a 1 percent increase in births, the only group to not see a drop in total numbers. However, this age group's birth rate was 12.6 percent, the lowest of all the groups.
At the same time, the cesarean delivery rate rose in 2023, accounting for almost a third of all births. And cesarean delivery has also become more popular in low-risk births, increasing last year to its highest rate in a decade, the CDC reported.
A cesarean section, commonly known as a C-section, is a surgical procedure used to deliver a baby. During this operation, a cut is made in the uterus to facilitate the baby's safe exit. The incision is typically placed in the lower abdomen. The procedure can be planned (elective) or performed in an emergency when a vaginal birth is deemed too risky. Reasons for a C-section include the baby being in a breech position, low-lying placenta, high blood pressure, stalled labor or excessive bleeding. Recovery and risks are significant considerations for this surgery.
The downward trend in U.S. birth rates mirrors declines in wealthier nations globally, influenced by factors such as economic instability, pandemic uncertainties and rising health costs.
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