Birth Rate Declines -- Is the Economy to Blame?

Even though the world’s population reached seven billion last month, the overall birth rate in the U.S. declined 3 percent in 2010, according to a new report from the Centers Disease Control and Prevention. The study, “Births: Preliminary Data for 2010,” analyzed birth records in all states and found that the birth rate for teenagers went down nine percent in 2010 -- the lowest rate in history. (Do we have episodes of Teen Mom to thank for that?) The birth rate for women in their early twenties fell this year, too -- by 6 percent. Birth rates for women in their late twenties to early thirties declined as well. On the other hand, the birth rate for women in their early forties increased from 10 per 1,000 women in 2009 to 10.2 per 1,000 women in 2010. Other findings include:

- The total number of births to unmarried mothers declined for the second year in a row.
- Preterm births are down again for the fourth straight year. (Yay!)
- The low birthweight rate remained unchanged in 2010, but it’s down from the record high of 8.3 percent in 2006.

So, what are the reasons for the decline in births? Well, some experts believe that the economy might be the cause. Birth starts to decline after December 2007 when the recession started, according to Time. Others believe that factors like increasing access to birth control and pregnancy awareness campaigns had something to do with the statistics. As for the higher birth rate for women in their early forties, we think it's another indication that more and more women are having children later in life.

Get more information on the findings here.

Why do you think the birth rate is declining? Is it because of the economy? Or something else?

Plus, more from The Bump:

More Parenting and Pregnancy News

World's Population Reaches 7 Billion

Pregnant Over the Age of 50?

-- Sarah Yang

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