The United States has officially released its fertility data for the year 2024, highlighting a noteworthy shift in the nation’s population trends.
According to the latest report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total fertility rate in the U.S. declined to 1.599 children per woman. This figure is significantly below the population replacement level, which is typically set at 2.1 children per woman.
Despite the drop in fertility rate, the CDC report also showed a slight 1% increase in total births in the country, with about 3.6 million babies born across the United States in 2024. This seemingly contradictory trend reflects complex dynamics within the population, such as immigration and delayed childbearing.
The fertility data and accompanying birth statistics were made public on July 24, 2025, by the CDC, and experts say it signals a critical demographic milestone that could have lasting social and economic impacts in the years to come.
In addition to the CDC findings, World Bank data reveals that the current U.S. fertility rate is now comparable to that of many Western European countries, which have also been experiencing below-replacement fertility levels for decades.
Demographers and policy analysts warn that persistent low fertility may lead to challenges such as an aging population, labor shortages, and increased pressure on social support systems unless counterbalanced by immigration or shifts in family planning trends.