U.S. Fertility Rate Hits Record Low in 2025

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The U.S. general fertility rate reached a new record low in 2025, according to final birth data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. The rate, which measures births per 1,000 females ages 15-22, dropped to 53.2 in 2025, a 1 percent decrease from 53.8 in 2024.

Age-Specific Trends

The CDC found that birth rates declined for females aged 10-29, while rates increased for women aged 30-44. The rate remained unchanged for women aged 45-49. Specifically, the birth rate for females aged 10-14 fell from 0.2 births per 1,000 females in 2024 to 0.1 in 2025. Teen girls aged 15-19 saw a 7 percent decline in birth rates, dropping from 12.6 to 11.7. Women aged 20-24 experienced a 6 percent decrease, from 55.8 to 52.3. The rate for women aged 25-29 also dropped by 4 percent, from 89.5 to 85.7.

Total Births and Long-Term Trends

There were 3,612,012 births in the U.S. in 2025, a less than 1 percent decrease from 3,628,934 in 2024. This continues a decades-long trend of declining fertility. In 1925, the general fertility rate was 106.6 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44, nearly double the current rate. Today, the average woman has fewer than two babies, well below the replacement rate.

Context and Implications

The data underscores a significant shift in reproductive behavior and societal trends. The decline in birth rates across multiple age groups suggests broader demographic changes, including economic pressures, shifting family structures, and evolving social norms. The CDC’s findings provide a critical snapshot of the nation’s reproductive health landscape and highlight the need for ongoing analysis and policy considerations.

Source: Breitbart

Written by

Ryan Wilson