Latest news with #LeslieRoot
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
US fertility rate reached new low in 2024, CDC data shows
New York: The fertility rate in the US dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman, new federal data released Thursday shows. The US was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself - about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades as more women are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. The new statistic is on par with fertility rates in western European countries, according to World Bank data. Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, like issuing an executive order meant to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilisation and backing the idea of "baby bonuses" that might encourage more couples to have kids. But there's no reason to be alarmed, according to Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy. "We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay. We know that the US population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase - more births than deaths," she said. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention released the statistic for the total fertility rate with updated birth data for 2024. In the early 1960s, the US total fertility rate was around 3.5, but plummeted to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom ended. It gradually rose to 2.1 in 2007 before falling again, aside from a 2014 uptick. The rate in 2023 was 1.621, and inched down in 2024 to 1.599, according to the CDC's National Centre for Health Statistics. Birth rates are generally declining for women in most age groups - and that doesn't seem likely to change in the near future, said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Centre at the University of North Carolina. People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment. "Worry is not a good moment to have kids," and that's why birth rates in most age groups are not improving, she said. Asked about birth-promoting measures outlined by the Trump administration, Guzzo said they don't tackle larger needs like parental leave and affordable child care. "The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans," she said. Increase in births in new data The CDC's new report, which is based on a more complete review of birth certificates than provisional data released earlier this year, also showed a 1 per cent increase in births - about 33,000 more - last year compared to the prior year. That brought the yearly national total to just over 3.6 million babies born. But this is different: The provisional data indicated birth rate increases last year for women in their late 20s and 30s. However, the new report found birth rate declines for women in their 20s and early 30s, and no change for women in their late 30s. What happened? CDC officials said it was due to recalculations stemming from a change in the US Census population estimates used to compute the birth rate. That's plausible, Root said. As the total population of women of childbearing age grew due to immigration, it offset small increases in births to women in those age groups, she said.>
India Today
6 days ago
- Health
- India Today
US birth rate hits rock bottom; government pushes IVF, cash offers to boost numbers
The fertility rate in the United States has dropped to its lowest point in history. In 2024, the average number of children per woman in the country fell below 1.6, according to new data released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on number is far below what experts call the "replacement rate" -- around 2.1 children per woman -- which ensures that each generation can replace itself. The US once stood apart from other developed countries by meeting or exceeding this level. But over the past two decades, the rate has steadily to experts, more women are delaying motherhood, and some are opting not to have children at all. The World Bank data states the current fertility rate in the US is comparable to that of many western European RESPONDS WITH FERTILITY PUSH The Trump administration has begun to act in response to the ongoing decline. In an effort to lower the cost and increase access to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), the government recently issued an executive order. Additionally, there is support for a "baby bonus."The goal of providing financial assistance is to encourage more families to expand, particularly as the cost of raising a child in the US these efforts, some experts say there's no need to panic.'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay,' said Leslie Root, a population policy researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. 'We know that the US population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths.'MONEY, MARRIAGE, AND MODERN CHALLENGESSocial scientists believe the reasons for this decline are complex. Many women are postponing childbirth until their 30s or 40s. Some never become parents at all. Financial concerns are a major factor.'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. 'People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance, and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment.'The Trump administration's strategy might not go far enough, Guzzo added. IVF and baby bonuses might benefit some people, but they don't address more serious issues like the lack of paid parental leave and reasonably priced child care.'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' she CDC's new report also found that there was a 1% increase in the total number of babies born in the US last year — about 33,000 more than the previous year. That brought the total number of births in 2024 to slightly over 3.6 there's a twist. Earlier provisional data suggested women in their late 20s and 30s were having more children. But the more complete review of birth certificates painted a different picture: birth rates actually declined for women in their 20s and early 30s, and remained the same for women in their late caused the change? According to the CDC, the difference came from updated population estimates from the US Census, which are used to calculate birth rates.- EndsWith inputs from Associated Press
Al Jazeera
6 days ago
- Health
- Al Jazeera
US fertility rate drops to a new low, CDC data finds
The fertility rate in the United States has dropped to a new low of 1.6 children per woman, according to new data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The data released on Thursday continues a trend in birth rates that has been sliding downward for nearly two decades. 'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay. We know that the US population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths,' Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy, told The Associated Press news agency. The US fertility rate has gone up and down over the years, reaching 3.5 percent in the early 1960s before dropping to 1.7 percent by 1976 and then rebounding to 2.1 percent in 2007. Lower fertility rates are common in wealthier countries, and the new figures put the US roughly on par with its Western European counterparts. The birth rate trends can be influenced by a variety of factors, including economic stability and the affordability of necessities such as housing. Experts pointed to how those influences can place strains on households and affect mental health. 'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' Karen Guzzo, the director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina, told The Associated Press. Some lawmakers have expressed alarm over declining fertility rates and called on the government to take a more active role in encouraging people to have children and promoting policies that facilitate that goal. Officials within the administration of US President Donald Trump have floated the idea of changing tax policy to favour people who have children, and Trump issued an executive order meant to reduce barriers to processes such as in vitro fertilisation. At an event during Women's History Month, Trump even dubbed himself the 'fertility president'. But the administration has also moved to slash funding for social programmes that experts say can offer an important safety net for working people who want to have a family but may be worried about the financial strain. Cuts have also affected medical researchers investigating fertility-related treatments. 'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' said Guzzo.
Los Angeles Times
6 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
The U.S. fertility rate reached a new low in 2024, CDC data show
NEW YORK — The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to an all-time low in 2024 with less than 1.6 kids per woman, new federal data released Thursday show. The U.S. was once among only a few developed countries with a rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself — about 2.1 kids per woman. But it has been sliding in America for close to two decades as more women are waiting longer to have children or never taking that step at all. The new statistic is on par with fertility rates in western European countries, according to World Bank data. Alarmed by recent drops, the Trump administration has taken steps to increase falling birth rates, such as issuing an executive order meant to expand access to and reduce costs of in vitro fertilization and backing the idea of 'baby bonuses' that might encourage more couples to have kids. But there's no reason to be alarmed, according to Leslie Root, a University of Colorado Boulder researcher focused on fertility and population policy. 'We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay. We know that the U.S. population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths,' she said. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the statistic for the total fertility rate with updated birth data for 2024. In the early 1960s, the U.S. total fertility rate was around 3.5, but plummeted to 1.7 by 1976 after the Baby Boom ended. It gradually rose to 2.1 in 2007 before falling again, aside from a 2014 uptick. The rate in 2023 was 1.621, and inched down in 2024 to 1.599, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Birth rates are generally declining for women in most age groups — and that doesn't seem likely to change in the near future, said Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina. People are marrying later and also worried about their ability to have the money, health insurance and other resources needed to raise children in a stable environment. 'Worry is not a good moment to have kids,' and that's why birth rates in most age groups are not improving, she said. Asked about birth-promoting measures outlined by the Trump administration, Guzzo said they don't tackle larger needs like parental leave and affordable child care. 'The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans,' she said. The CDC's new report, which is based on a more complete review of birth certificates than provisional data released earlier this year, also showed a 1% increase in births — about 33,000 more — last year compared to the prior year. That brought the yearly national total to just over 3.6 million babies born. But this is different: The provisional data indicated birth rate increases last year for women in their late 20s and 30s. However, the new report found birth rate declines for women in their 20s and early 30s, and no change for women in their late 30s. What happened? CDC officials said it was due to recalculations stemming from a change in the U.S. Census population estimates used to compute the birth rate. That's plausible, Root said. As the total population of women of childbearing age grew due to immigration, it offset small increases in births to women in those age groups, she said. Stobbe writes for the Associated Press. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Health
- Newsweek
US Birth Rate Plunges to New Low — CDC
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States' total fertility rate fell to a record low in 2024, dipping below 1.6 children per woman, according to new federal data released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks a significant demographic milestone for a country that once stood apart among developed nations for maintaining a replacement-level birth rate of around 2.1 children per woman. The U.S. fertility rate, once buoyed by post-World War II baby booms and comparatively high birth rates among younger women, has been steadily declining for nearly two decades. Many women are delaying motherhood or opting out of having children altogether — a trend now bringing American fertility rates closer to those of Western Europe. World Bank data confirms this alignment with long-standing European demographic patterns. The toes of a baby are seen at a hospital in McAllen, Texas, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. The toes of a baby are seen at a hospital in McAllen, Texas, on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Associated Press Despite concern in some political circles, experts suggest the falling birth rate reflects broader cultural and economic shifts, rather than an imminent population crisis. "We're seeing this as part of an ongoing process of fertility delay," said Leslie Root, a fertility and population policy researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. "We know that the U.S. population is still growing, and we still have a natural increase — more births than deaths." Nevertheless, declining fertility has captured the attention of policymakers. In response to the trend, the Trump administration has advocated for several pro-natal measures, including an executive order aimed at expanding access to and reducing the cost of in vitro fertilization. The administration has also floated the idea of "baby bonuses" to incentivize family growth. But critics argue that these proposals are unlikely to reverse the trend without addressing deeper structural issues. Karen Guzzo, director of the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina, said many young people are simply not ready to start families due to financial uncertainty, lack of support systems, and late marriages. "Worry is not a good moment to have kids," she explained. "And that's why birth rates in most age groups are not improving." Asked about the administration's initiatives, Guzzo was skeptical: "The things that they are doing are really symbolic and not likely to budge things for real Americans." She emphasized that lasting change would require more comprehensive policies, such as paid parental leave and affordable child care. The CDC's updated figures for 2024 show that the total fertility rate dropped from 1.621 in 2023 to 1.599. That statistic is derived from a more detailed analysis of birth certificates and replaced earlier provisional estimates. Interestingly, the new report also shows a 1% increase in overall births — roughly 33,000 more babies — compared to 2023, bringing the total to just over 3.6 million. However, this does not reflect a higher birth rate. The CDC clarified that the discrepancy stemmed from recalculated population estimates, which now account for an increase in women of childbearing age due to immigration. "That's plausible," Root said. "As the total population of women of childbearing age grew due to immigration, it offset small increases in births to women in those age groups." Ultimately, both experts agree the U.S. faces a complex demographic shift shaped by economics, policy, and evolving personal choices. This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
