Birth Rates Decline

Birth rates are down for nearly all populations according to the new data released for the National Center for Health Statistics. The data is for the years 2007-2009. Here are some of the highlights:

• The biggest drop in numbers of births was to Hispanic women.
• Fewer people are having more than three children.
• The number of births overall declined, but women over 40 saw a rise in the number of births.
• Western and Southeastern states saw the biggest drops.

The economy is being held at least partly responsible for this decline in birth rate. The states that were the hardest hit with unemployment showed some of the biggest declines in birth rate. This may also be why there were fewer families having more children or even large families.

Is this what you're seeing where you live?

Related:

• Pregnancy Over 35
• Reasons You're Done Having Babies

_{Source:
Sutton PD, Hamilton BE, Mathews TJ. Recent decline in births in the United States, 2007-2009. NCHS data brief, no 60. Hyattsville, MD: National Center for Health Statistics. 2011.}

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