There were 3.6 million babies born in the United States in 2024, which comes to more than 10,000 newborns each day.
The number stands strong at first glance, yet it sits inside a long downward trend shaped by falling birth rates and shifting family choices across the country.
A lot of couples now wait longer to have children, while many households stop at one child or none at all. The year-to-year totals are showing clear signs of demographic decline.
Reports on family size patterns and daily death counts help fill in the picture, showing how natural growth slows while population momentum leans more on migration.
The following sections will provide more details about how many people are born a day and what it means for the future of the United States.
Methodology
The data used in this report comes from verified national and international sources. Each organization provides official records, population studies, and statistical models used to ensure accuracy and consistency across all figures.
Main sources are:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
- BabyCenter
Reports from 2023 and 2024 were reviewed to compare national birth counts, fertility rates, and long-term trends. Global data was included to place U.S. numbers within a wider demographic context.
Highlights
- Around 3.62 million babies were born in the U.S. in 2024, which represents a slight rise from 3.59 million in 2023. Still, birth rates remain below pre-recession highs.
- The total fertility rate in 2023 was 1.616 births per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1, which is another proof of population decline.
- Teen birth rates reached a record low of 13.2 per 1000 in 2023, and the drop shows clear progress tied to long-term education efforts and wider use of reliable contraception.
- Hispanic women had the highest birth rate at 65.0 per 1,000 women, significantly shaping future U.S. workforce demographics
- Cesarean delivery rates increased to 32.4% in 2023, while the preterm birth rate remained stable at 10.41%, with racial disparities persisting.
- The ongoing decline in U.S. birth rates impacts Social Security, workforce planning, and healthcare systems, requiring careful policy adaptation for future stability.
Number of Babies Born in the US Over Time (From 1990s to 2025)
In 1995, the U.S. recorded nearly 3.9 million births. This number grew steadily, peaking in 2007 with over 4.3 million births, reflecting a period of economic optimism and demographic growth.
However, the 2008 financial recession marked a turning point, and the number of annual births began to decline. By 2010, births had dropped below 4 million, and the decline continued through the 2010s.
NCBI notes the COVID-19 pandemic further impacted birth rates, with only 3.61 million births in 2020, a clear reflection of uncertainty during the crisis. While there was a slight rebound in 2021 and 2022, reaching around 3.66 million births, the overall trend has remained downward.
By 2023, births had declined to 3.59 million, with 2024 showing a minor increase to 3.62 million births.
Detailed Birth Data
Below is a clear, easy-to-read snapshot of U.S. births per year since 2000, illustrating the steady decline and key events influencing these numbers:
The year 2007 marks the high point in recent U.S. birth history, with 4.31 million births recorded, reflecting a period of strong economic confidence and a younger demographic structure.
However, the 2008 financial crisis led to a clear decline, as economic instability, job insecurity, and rising housing costs made many families postpone or reconsider having children.
By 2010, births had fallen below 4 million for the first time in years, and the downward trend continued into the 2010s. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, births dipped to 3.61 million, influenced by uncertainty, healthcare system strains, and lifestyle disruptions.
In 2022, there was a slight rebound to 3.67 million births, attributed to delayed pandemic pregnancies and improved economic stability. Yet, this recovery was not sustained, as 2023 saw a decline to 3.59 million, continuing the broader pattern of declining fertility rates in the United States.
Birth Rates by Maternal Age
| Maternal Age Group | Number of Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000 women) | Notes |
| 15–19 (Teens) | 140,801 | 13.2 | Record low, continuing decline |
| 20–24 | 616,139 | 55.4 | 47% decline since 2007 |
| 25–29 | 985,309 | 91.0 | Down 3% from 2022 |
| 30–34 | 1,096,696 | 95.1 | Down 2% from 2022 |
| 35–39 | 603,798 | 54.7 | Down 1% from 2022 |
| 40–44 | 136,096 | 12.6 | Stable from 2022 |
| 45+ | 10,726 | 1.1 | Rare but stable |
Teen birth rates (15–19) dropped to 13.2 per 1,000 women, marking a record low and continuing a 79% decline since 1991.
This decline results from increased contraception access, sex education, and cultural norms that prioritize education and career establishment before parenthood.
Women aged 20–24 saw 616,139 births in 2023, reflecting a birth rate of 55.4 per 1,000 women, a substantial drop of 47% since 2007, when many in this age group had higher fertility rates. Economic factors, including student debt, high housing costs, and childcare expenses, contribute to delayed parenthood.
Women aged 25–29 recorded 985,309 births (rate: 91.0), showing a 3% decline from 2022, while women aged 30–34 had 1,096,696 births (rate: 95.1), down 2%. Despite this slight drop, women in their early 30s remain the group with the highest birth rates in the U.S., indicating that parenthood is increasingly occurring later in life as individuals stabilize careers and finances.
Births among women aged 35–39 (603,798 births, 54.7 rate) and 40–44 (136,096 births, 12.6 rate) have remained steady, signaling growing trends of later-age pregnancies. The stabilization at older maternal ages reflects advancements in fertility treatments and a societal shift where it is increasingly acceptable to have children later in life.
These patterns will influence healthcare needs, maternity care resources, and social services planning in the coming years, requiring healthcare providers to prepare for more high-risk pregnancies associated with advanced maternal age while addressing the health education that continues to drive down teen pregnancies.
Birth Rates by Race and Ethnicity
In 2023, Hispanic women maintained the highest birth rate in the U.S. at 65.0 per 1,000 women, reflecting cultural values, family structures, and demographic growth patterns in Hispanic communities.
The nearly 944,000 births among Hispanic women significantly contribute to the overall U.S. birth numbers and influence future demographic shifts, workforce growth, and educational system needs.
Black, non-Hispanic women recorded 490,677 births with a birth rate of 53.5, while White, non-Hispanic women had 1,783,962 births at a rate of 51.6. Asian, non-Hispanic women had the lowest rate at 47.7 per 1,000 women, with 215,599 births.
These disparities highlight the importance of culturally tailored healthcare, prenatal support, and postnatal care to address unique needs across different racial and ethnic communities.
The higher birth rates among Hispanic women contribute to a younger median age in these populations, which will shape workforce participation rates and consumer trends in the coming decades.
Cesarean and Preterm Birth Rates
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Cesarean and Preterm Birth Rates, U.S., 2023
The cesarean delivery rate increased to 32.4% in 2023, continuing its gradual rise from 32.1% in 2022. The low-risk cesarean rate, defined as cesarean deliveries among first-time mothers with term, singleton, vertex births, also rose slightly to 26.6% according to Axios.
These trends indicate ongoing shifts in delivery methods, influenced by maternal choice, medical practice patterns, and higher maternal ages that may lead to increased complications requiring cesarean deliveries.
The preterm birth rate remained stable at 10.41%, showing slight stability but remaining a public health focus due to the higher healthcare costs and health challenges associated with premature births.
Variations persist across racial and ethnic groups, with Black women consistently experiencing higher preterm birth rates, necessitating focused interventions to address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes.
Day of the Week When Most Babies Are Born
- Tuesday is the most common day of birth in the US, followed closely by Thursday.
- Sunday is the least common, followed by Saturday.
This pattern is influenced by scheduled C-sections and inductions, which are typically planned for weekdays, but even spontaneous labors occur more frequently on weekdays due to natural rhythms and staffing patterns in hospitals.
In 2021:
- 762,012 babies were born on weekends, while
- 2,902,280 were born on weekdays.
Time of Day
- The most common time of day for births is noon to 3 PM, followed by 9 AM to noon.
- The least common time is 3 AM to 6 AM, followed by midnight to 3 AM.
These patterns again reflect a mix of natural labor patterns and medical scheduling preferences for interventions.
What Is the Most Popular Birth Month?
Interestingly the most common birth month in the US is august which means a lot of winter conceptions,
But i wonder if they most common birth month changes based on the climate you live in
— BROTHER LOBO 🐺⚔️ (@ellobosalvaje) March 17, 2024
In 2021, August was the most popular month for births in the U.S., followed by July, September, and October. These trends align with conception patterns around the winter holidays and early winter months.
The least common month for births is February, which naturally has fewer days, followed by January and March, according to BabyCenter.
U.S. Birth Rate vs. Global Birth Rate
The U.S. birth rate in 2021 was 11.0 births per 1,000 people, a slight increase from 10.9 in 2020, marking the first increase since 2014. This is down from 13.0 in 2010, reflecting a long-term downward trajectory in American fertility.
Globally, the average birth rate is around 18 per 1,000, with stark regional differences:
- ~40 per 1,000 in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.
- <10 per 1,000 in many European countries.
The World Counts notes that global birth rates have been declining by about 1% per year for decades, reflecting increasing education, economic development, and family planning access.
Which US State Gets the Most Babies Born Per Year
Some states record far higher birth totals each year due to population size, age structure, and regional trends.
Numbers below show where the largest counts come from and where totals remain lowest.
States with the Most Births (2021–2022)
Large states carry the bulk of annual US births due to population size and a steady inflow of new residents.
California and Texas remain far ahead of the pack, followed by Florida and New York.
- California: 420,608 in 2021 and 418,523 in 2022
- Texas: 373,594 in 2021 and 389,533 in 2022
- Florida: 216,260 in 2021 and 224,226 in 2022
- New York: 210,742 in 2021 and 207,484 in 2022
- Pennsylvania: 132,622 in 2021 and 130003 in 2022
States With the Fewest Births
Several small states record minimal birth totals each year due to limited population, low fertility rates, and aging populations.
Vermont and Wyoming lead the low end, with annual counts that mirror their overall size and older age structure.
- Vermont: 5,384 in 2021 and 5,275 in 2022
- Wyoming: 6.237 in 2021 and 6.044 in 2022
- District of Columbia: 8.660 in 2021 and 8.047 in 2022
Highest Birth Rates
Utah remains the standout for birth rate due to a younger population and stronger family formation trends.
North Dakota and the District of Columbia also remain above the national average for their own demographic reasons.
- Utah: rate of 14.0
- North Dakota: rate of 13.0
- District of Columbia: rate of 12.9
Lowest Birth Rates
New England states sit at the bottom of US birth rate charts, shaped by older populations and delayed parenthood across the region.
Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire continue to show the lowest rates in the country.
- Vermont: rate of 8.3
- Maine: rate of 8.7
- New Hampshire: rate of 9.1
Fertility Rates Across the U.S.
The total fertility rate (TFR) in the U.S. was 1.6 births per woman in 2021, up slightly from 2020 but well below the replacement rate of 2.1, according to some data.
States with the Highest TFR
- South Dakota: 2.01
- Nebraska: 2.0
- North Dakota, Utah, Louisiana, Arkansas: ~1.9
States with the Lowest TFR
- Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, Massachusetts: 1.4
- New Hampshire, Maine: 1.5
These differences reflect regional variations in culture, religion, economics, and access to healthcare and family planning.
Maternal Age Trends
The average age for first-time mothers in the U.S. increased to 27.3 in 2021, up from 27.1 in 2020 and 21.4 in 1970, illustrating a significant societal shift in family planning timelines.
- The overall average maternal age for all births was 29.4 years in 2021.
- Teen birth rates have dropped 78% since 1991.
- Birth rates for women aged 20–24 hit record lows in 2021.
- Women aged 30–39 saw increases in birth rates in 2021, reflecting later family building.
- Women 40–44 had a birth rate of 12 per 1,000, with births in this age group rising by 5% from 2020 to 2021.
Notably, 1,041 births in 2021 were to women aged 50 or older, a sharp increase from only 144 in 1997.
Conclusion
@statista_official How common is your Birthday? In the US, 9 of the top 10 most popular birth-dates fall between September 9 and 20. No surprise then that the ninth month of the year is also the most common month to be born in. The least likely dates to be born on? December 25th, January 1st and December 24 The large number of public holidays at this time mean only natural and emergency births are likely to take place. #birthday #statista #foryou #fyp #viral #trending #trendingvideo #tik_tok ♬ Passion – Milky Chance
While the US still sees around 3.6 million babies born each year, these numbers reflect a changing nation. With birth rates below replacement levels since 2007, America is experiencing slower population growth, mirroring trends seen in other developed nations.
These numbers are essential for planning the country’s future, ensuring sustainable economic growth, and maintaining healthcare and social systems that rely on a steady influx of younger generations.
While the slight increase in 2024 is positive, it does not yet signal a reversal of the long-term decline.
