Every year, around 3.6 million babies are born in the United States, according to the CDC and National Center for Health Statistics. In 2024, 3,622,673 babies were born, reflecting a slight increase from 3,591,328 births in 2023.
On average, more than 10,000 babies are born every day in the United States.
While these figures show that births continue to outnumber deaths in the U.S., they also highlight an ongoing trend of declining fertility rates, changing demographics, and shifting societal choices on family planning.
The U.S. birth rate has historically been a key indicator of economic health, societal stability, and future workforce sustainability. Yet, the last two decades have shown a steady decline in birth rates, despite occasional small upticks.
The total fertility rate (TFR) in 2023 was 1.616 births per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1. This indicates that the U.S. is moving toward slower population growth, driven by people having fewer children and delaying childbirth due to financial, career, and societal factors.
Globally, more than 367,000 babies are born each day, with 133.9 million births worldwide in 2022.
Key Takeaways
Historical Birth Trends in the U.S.: 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, according to Macrotrends.
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, according to NCBI.
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.
The data for 2024 shows a small recovery to 3.62 million births, representing a 1% increase, but experts caution that this does not signal a reversal of the long-term downward trend.
Early 2025 data (January to April) shows approximately 1.16 million births, indicating the year will likely align closely with recent years, maintaining a pattern of low but steady birth numbers.
Birth Rates by Maternal Age
U.S. Births by Maternal Age, 2023
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
The CDC’s 2023 Vital Statistics Rapid Release data confirm clear shifts in when Americans choose to have children. 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, comprehensive sex education, and shifting 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
Births by Race and Ethnicity, U.S., 2023
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, according to US News.
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.
When Are Most Babies Born?
Day of the Week
- Tuesday is the most common birth day in the U.S., 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:
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:
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.
Where Are Babies Born? State-by-State Patterns
States with the Most Births (2021–2022)
- California: 420,608 (2021), 418,523 (2022)
- Texas: 373,594 (2021), 389,533 (2022)
- Florida: 216,260 (2021), 224,226 (2022)
- New York: 210,742 (2021), 207,484 (2022)
- Pennsylvania: 132,622 (2021), 130,003 (2022)
States with the Fewest Births
- Vermont: 5,384 (2021), 5,275 (2022)
- Wyoming: 6,237 (2021), 6,044 (2022)
- D.C.: 8,660 (2021), 8,047 (2022)
Birth Rate Extremes
- Highest: Utah (14.0), North Dakota (13.0), D.C. (12.9).
- Lowest: Vermont (8.3), Maine (8.7), New Hampshire (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.
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 U.S. 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.
Methodology
- We analyzed CDC Vital Statistics Rapid Release (2023, 2024) and provisional natality data for accurate birth numbers and rates.
- We cross-referenced with U.S. Census Bureau population estimates to align demographic trends.
- We used Macrotrends and NCBI data to illustrate the historical context and impacts of the 2008 recession and COVID-19 on birth rates.
- We structured clear tables for each section to ensure accessible, data-driven insights
- We included practical policy and societal implications to connect the data to everyday relevance for readers.
- We ensured all statistics were current, using April 2024 and early 2025 data to maintain article freshness and reliability.