The United States saw its fertility rate fall once again in 2025, marking yet another record low and continuing a decades-long trend that is raising concerns about the nation’s future.
According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the general fertility rate dropped by 1 percent last year, settling at approximately 53.1 births per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44. In total, about 3,606,400 births were recorded. The agency noted that fertility has generally been declining since 2007, with an overall drop of 23 percent during that time.
The long-term picture is even more striking. Since 1990, the fertility rate has fallen by 14 percent, reflecting a steady shift in how Americans approach family life. While the causes are complex, the data paints a clear picture of a country moving away from larger families and, in many cases, delaying or forgoing children altogether.
One of the most notable changes came among younger Americans. Birth rates for teenagers aged 15 to 19 fell by 7 percent in 2025, with an even steeper 11 percent decline among those aged 18 to 19. At the same time, data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows a growing share of women entering adulthood without children. Between 2014 and 2024, the percentage of childless women aged 25 to 29 rose sharply from about 50 percent to 63 percent.
Interestingly, the only group to see a decline in childlessness was women between the ages of 45 and 50, suggesting that some are choosing to have children later in life rather than earlier.
For a population to remain stable, experts generally point to a fertility rate of about 2.1 children per woman. By 2024, however, the U.S. had fallen well below that threshold, dipping under 1.6. That gap highlights a growing demographic challenge, one that extends beyond simple statistics and into broader questions about economic stability and national priorities.
Public opinion appears to be shifting alongside the numbers. A study from Pew Research Center found that Americans in their 20s and 30s now report wanting fewer than two children on average, a noticeable drop from previous years when preferences had remained relatively steady.
Other surveys suggest an even deeper cultural shift. One study found that 53 percent of adults believe having children could negatively impact the country’s future. While views vary, the finding points to a growing skepticism about the role of family expansion in modern America.
Economic concerns remain front and center in many of these decisions. Rising living costs are frequently cited as a major factor not only in the U.S. but across developed nations. In South Korea—which currently has the world’s lowest fertility rate—women often point to the high cost of housing and education as reasons for delaying or avoiding parenthood. The country has responded with financial incentives in an effort to reverse the trend.
Back home, similar concerns are evident. The 2025 American Family Survey from Brigham Young University found that 71 percent of adults disagree that having children is affordable for most people. Forty-three percent cited financial limitations as a barrier, while only 22 percent pointed to a lack of personal desire.
Taken together, the data suggests that for many Americans, the decision to have children is less about willingness and more about feasibility. As policymakers and families alike grapple with these realities, the nation faces a quiet but significant shift—one that speaks not only to economic strain, but to broader questions about the direction of American life in an uncertain world.
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