Social Policy

Birth Rates Hit Record Low

As the baby-boom generation moves out of its childbearing years, the U.S. birth rate has fallen to a historic low, tying the record set in the mid-1970s. And of every 100 new U.S. residents, only 64 are actually born here.

  • Preliminary figures show that for the 12 months that ended June 30, 1997, the rate was 14.6 births per 1,000 people.

  • According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the birth rate has fallen 13 percent since 1990 and 38 percent since 1960.

  • The oldest of the baby boomers -- those born between 1946 and 1964 -- will turn start turning 52 this year, and childbearing ages are generally considered to be between 15 and 44.

The birth rate might have been lower if it were not for the 16 million legal immigrants who have come to the U.S. since 1976, since foreign-born women have, on average, more children than native-born women.

Source: Maria Puente, "Birth Rate in U.S. at a Record Low," USA Today, February 10, 1998.


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