The number of babies born in the United States reached an all-time low last year, continuing a downward trend that has lasted nearly two decades. New CDC birth data released on Thursday confirms that the American landscape is shifting as fewer families choose to grow.
A consistent decline in American births
According to the latest figures, the general fertility rate in the U.S. has plummeted nearly 23% since 2007. This sharp fall is not an isolated event but mirrors global trends. Many women are now opting against motherhood as social and economic pressures evolve.
The total number of babies born in the U.S. in 2025 dropped by 1% compared to the previous year. This brings the total to roughly 3.6 million births. Consequently, the fertility rate—measured as births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44—slipped to 53.1.
Why are US fertility rates falling?
Reuters reports that experts suggest that the decision to delay or skip parenthood is often a practical one. Phillip Levine, an economics professor at Wellesley College, notes that younger women face a different set of choices than previous generations.
“Greater and more demanding job market opportunities, expanded leisure options, increased intensity of parenting… make the option to have children less desirable,” said Levine.
Accuracy of the 2025 data
The findings come from provisional records processed by the National Centre for Health Statistics, a branch of the CDC. As of February 3, 2026, the agency had analysed 99.95% of all birth records from the previous year, making these figures a near-certain reflection of the final count.
