US fertility rate hits record low as births rise among women in 30s

The U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low in 2025, even as more women in their 30s and early 40s had babies. Final federal data show the general fertility rate dropped 1% to 53.2 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, according to the CDC.

The decline was driven by younger women. The CDC says birth rates fell for females aged 10 to 29 and rose for women aged 30 to 44. Rates for women aged 45 to 49 did not change, the CDC says.

Key facts

• The CDC counted 3,612,012 U.S. births in 2025, down less than 1% from 2024.
• The general fertility rate fell to 53.2, a record low, the CDC says.
• The birth rate for women aged 20 to 24 dropped 6%, according to the CDC.
• The teen birth rate fell 7% to 11.7 births per 1,000, the CDC says.
• Birth rates for women aged 30 to 34 rose 3%, according to the CDC.

The numbers

The CDC's data brief says the country recorded 3,612,012 births in 2025, compared with 3,628,934 in 2024. That is a drop of less than 1%, according to the agency.

The general fertility rate, which measures births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, slipped from 53.8 to 53.2, the CDC says. The agency calls it the lowest on record. These are final figures, which replace an earlier provisional estimate.

According to the CDC's data brief, the steepest drops came among teens and women in their 20s:

• Ages 15 to 19: The rate fell 7%, from 12.6 to 11.7.
• Ages 20 to 24: The rate dropped 6%, from 55.8 to 52.3.
• Ages 25 to 29: The rate declined 4%, from 89.5 to 85.7.

Older women moved the other way. The CDC says the rate for women aged 30 to 34 climbed 3%, from 93.7 to 96.3. Rates rose 2% for ages 35 to 39 and 1% for ages 40 to 44, according to the agency.

Other findings

The data brief also tracked health care during pregnancy. The CDC says the share of mothers who began prenatal care in the first trimester rose to 76.3%. The cesarean delivery rate stayed at 32.4%, according to the CDC.

Background

NPR says the record-low rate extends a trend toward fewer children that has lasted two decades.

Brady Hamilton, a CDC demographer and co-author of the report, singled out the drop among women in their early 20s, according to NPR. "Certainly the 6% decline in the birthrate for women age 20 to 24 is noteworthy," Hamilton said, NPR reported.

Research points to changing attitudes among younger women. NPR says a Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta study found that Gen Z women are much less likely to want children than women in earlier generations. The Atlanta Fed study cited more job opportunities for women, rising costs, shifting priorities and worries about maternal mortality as factors, NPR reports.

The country is also getting older. NPR, citing Census data, says the U.S. median age hit 39.4 in 2025. According to Census Bureau data cited by NPR, the number of people in the U.S. under 18 fell by more than 1 million from 2010 to 2020.

Who is affected

Women in their 20s are having fewer babies, NPR reports, while birth rates are rising among women in their 30s.

Smaller communities may feel the change most. NPR reports that more states, including Vermont, are seeing their populations shrink, according to the Census Bureau. A Vermont mother told NPR that her town hopes to keep its elementary school open as the number of children declines.

What it means for you

For families, the data show a shift toward having children later in life. Birth rates rose for every age group from 30 to 44, the CDC says, while they fell for every group under 30.

For towns and schools, fewer births can mean fewer students in the years ahead. NPR's reporting on Vermont shows how small communities face pressure as child populations shrink.

What happens next

Some experts think more support could change the trend. NPR reports that some experts believe women would have more children with help such as affordable housing, daycare and health insurance.

FAQ

Did U.S. births go down last year? Yes, slightly. The CDC says there were 3,612,012 births, down less than 1% from 2024.

What is the general fertility rate? It measures births among women of childbearing age. The CDC says it fell to 53.2 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 in 2025, a record low.

Which age groups are having more babies? The CDC says rates rose for women aged 30 to 44 and fell for females aged 10 to 29.

How much did the teen birth rate fall? The CDC says it dropped 7%, to 11.7 births per 1,000.

Why are younger women having fewer children? NPR says an Atlanta Fed study found Gen Z women are much less likely to want children, citing costs, career options and changing priorities.

How did rates change for women in their 20s? The CDC says the rate for ages 20 to 24 fell 6%, from 55.8 to 52.3. For ages 25 to 29, it dropped 4%, from 89.5 to 85.7.

Did prenatal care improve? The CDC says the share of mothers starting care in the first trimester rose to 76.3%.

Are these final numbers? Yes. The figures come from the CDC's final data brief, which updates an earlier provisional release.

Is the U.S. population getting older? Yes. NPR, citing Census data, says the median age reached 39.4 in 2025.