Although the number of births in the United States increased in 2024 compared to 2023, the overall fertility rate declined, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3,628,934 births were recorded in the nation from 2023 to 2024, an increase of 1% from the previous year. Data from 2023 recorded the births of 3,591,328 babies, a 2% decline from 2022.
The general fertility rate, however, declined 1% from 2023 to 2024 to 53.8 births per 1,000 women. The decline in birth rates was specifically recorded among women aged 15-34, while rates remain unchanged for women aged 35-39 and rose between the ages of 40-44.
The fertility rate is the lowest on record.
In February, President Trump signed an executive order to expand access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and reduce its associated costs.
Trump’s order “recognizes the importance of family formation and that our Nation’s public policy must make it easier for loving and longing mothers and fathers to have children,” a White House fact sheet on the order says.
“Because we want more babies, to put it very nicely. And for this same reason, we will also allow new parents to deduct major newborn expenses from their taxes, so that parents that have a beautiful baby will be able, so we’re pro family,” Trump said of the order. “But the IVF treatments are expensive. It’s very hard for many people to do it and to get it, but I’ve been in favor of IVF, right from the beginning.”
