Of the 4 million babies born in the United States in 2011, a substantial 59,631 could be considered miracle births—they were born through assisted reproductive technology, meaning either eggs or embryos were handled in a laboratory. These births do not include those in which only sperm are handled or a woman takes drugs to stimulate egg production.
The babies born through assisted reproductive technology account for 1.5 percent of all births, 19 percent of twin births, and 32 percent of triplet or higher births. In the state with the largest share of births due to assisted reproductive technology (Massachusetts), 4.5 percent of all births, 40 percent of twin births, and 63 percent of triplet-plus births are the result of this technology.
Source: CDC, Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance—United States, 2011
Showing posts with label birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birth. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Plunge in Teen Birth Rate
Teen births were not a problem in 1960. They were the norm. For every 1,000 women aged 15 to 19 in 1960, fully 89.1 babies were born. Today, there are only 26.6 babies born for every 1,000 women aged 15 to 19—a 70 percent decline. The overall birth rate in 2013 (62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44) is lower than the teen birth rate of 1960.
Teen births became a problem as marriage became less important. In 1960, half of women were married by age 20.3. Most "teen" births were to married women. Today, the median age at first marriage is 26.6 and most teen births are to single mothers.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National and State Patterns of Teen Birth in the United States, 1940-2013
Teen births became a problem as marriage became less important. In 1960, half of women were married by age 20.3. Most "teen" births were to married women. Today, the median age at first marriage is 26.6 and most teen births are to single mothers.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National and State Patterns of Teen Birth in the United States, 1940-2013
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Most Out-of-Wedlock Births are In-Cohabiting-Union
Among the nearly 4 million babies born in 2013, a substantial 40.6 percent were born to a single mother, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This figure has barely changed despite the 14 percent decline in the birth rate of unmarried women since 2007.
A closer look at the nation's "single" mothers, based on 2006-10 data from the National Survey of Family Growth, reveals that most are not single at all. The 58 percent majority are in a cohabiting union, according to NCHS.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Declines in Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States
A closer look at the nation's "single" mothers, based on 2006-10 data from the National Survey of Family Growth, reveals that most are not single at all. The 58 percent majority are in a cohabiting union, according to NCHS.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Declines in Nonmarital Childbearing in the United States
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
How Many Babies?
In 2013, the nation's fertility rate hit an all-time low of 62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. Only 3,958,000 babies were born. How many babies would have been born if the fertility rate in 2013 had equaled the rate in...
2007: 4,374,000
2000: 4,148,000
1990: 4,462,000
1980: 4,305,000
1970: 5,532,000
1960: 7,427,000
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Birth Data
2007: 4,374,000
2000: 4,148,000
1990: 4,462,000
1980: 4,305,000
1970: 5,532,000
1960: 7,427,000
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Birth Data
Monday, June 02, 2014
2013 Population Projections vs. 2013 Reality
The ongoing baby bust is messing with the Census Bureau's population projections. The bureau had projected 7 percent more births in 2013 than the National Center for Health Statistics estimates in its preliminary report. Rather than 4,238,995 births in 2013, the nation's women gave birth to only 3,957,577—or 281,000 fewer babies than were projected.
That doesn't seem like a big difference, except for the following: Hispanic births in 2013 were a substantial 19 percent below what the Census Bureau had projected. Rather than the projected 1,122,069 Hispanic births in 2013, only 907,859 Hispanics were born. Conversely, more non-Hispanic whites were born in 2013 than were projected—an estimated 2,140,272 rather than the projected 2,077,212.
This means the U.S. is becoming a minority majority nation a bit more slowly than had been assumed by the Census Bureau. Only 49 percent of total births in 2013 were projected to be non-Hispanic white. But because births to Hispanics have plummeted, non-Hispanic whites still account for the majority of births—54 percent in 2013.
2013 births (and percent distribution) by race and Hispanic origin
Total: 3,957,577 (100.0%)
Asian: 268,559 (6.8%)
Black: 587,612 (14.8%)
Hispanic: 907,859 (22.9%)
Non-Hispanic white: 2,140,272 (54.1%)
That doesn't seem like a big difference, except for the following: Hispanic births in 2013 were a substantial 19 percent below what the Census Bureau had projected. Rather than the projected 1,122,069 Hispanic births in 2013, only 907,859 Hispanics were born. Conversely, more non-Hispanic whites were born in 2013 than were projected—an estimated 2,140,272 rather than the projected 2,077,212.
This means the U.S. is becoming a minority majority nation a bit more slowly than had been assumed by the Census Bureau. Only 49 percent of total births in 2013 were projected to be non-Hispanic white. But because births to Hispanics have plummeted, non-Hispanic whites still account for the majority of births—54 percent in 2013.
2013 births (and percent distribution) by race and Hispanic origin
Total: 3,957,577 (100.0%)
Asian: 268,559 (6.8%)
Black: 587,612 (14.8%)
Hispanic: 907,859 (22.9%)
Non-Hispanic white: 2,140,272 (54.1%)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Births in 2013
At first glance, the 2013 estimate of the number of births in the United States might seem ho-hum. The number changed little: the 3,957,577 estimate of 2013 was only 4,736 greater than the 3,952,841 of 2012 and still 8 percent below the all-time high of 4,316,233 in 2007.
On second glance, the estimate is startling. Although the overall number of births held steady, the fertility rate fell to a new all-time low of 62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. This is 9 percent below the rate of 69.3 in 2007. Even more startling is the plummeting fertility of young women. In 2013, the fertility rates of women aged 15 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 to 29 all fell to new record lows. In other words, never before have young women had so few children.
That may explain this finding: the first-birth rate also hit an all-time low in 2013, with the rate dropping for women in every age group under age 30. Clearly, young women are reluctant to have children, and the number of births is essentially unchanged only because older women are playing catch up before time runs out. The seeming stability in births belies the havoc wreaked by the Great Recession on the lives of young adults.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2013
On second glance, the estimate is startling. Although the overall number of births held steady, the fertility rate fell to a new all-time low of 62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44. This is 9 percent below the rate of 69.3 in 2007. Even more startling is the plummeting fertility of young women. In 2013, the fertility rates of women aged 15 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 to 29 all fell to new record lows. In other words, never before have young women had so few children.
That may explain this finding: the first-birth rate also hit an all-time low in 2013, with the rate dropping for women in every age group under age 30. Clearly, young women are reluctant to have children, and the number of births is essentially unchanged only because older women are playing catch up before time runs out. The seeming stability in births belies the havoc wreaked by the Great Recession on the lives of young adults.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2013
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
1 Million Fewer Families with Preschoolers
The number of families with preschoolers has dropped by more than 1 million over the past six years, according to Census Bureau data on families. Blame the ongoing baby bust for the disappearance of infants and toddlers.
The number of births peaked in 2007 and has been falling since then. The number of families with children under age 6 fell from 16.3 million in 2007 to 15.0 million in 2013.
Source: Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements
The number of births peaked in 2007 and has been falling since then. The number of families with children under age 6 fell from 16.3 million in 2007 to 15.0 million in 2013.
Source: Census Bureau, Families and Living Arrangements
Friday, March 28, 2014
Why Are Urban Counties Growing?
The nation's most urban counties are growing faster than others, according to a Demo Memo analysis of the Census Bureau's 2013 county population estimates. Counties in metro areas with the largest populations are growing the fastest—a 3 percent increase between 2010 and 2013. Counties in smaller metros are growing at a slower rate, and those in rural areas are losing people.
What is behind these trends? One reason for the strong growth of the nation's urban counties is domestic migration: Americans are voting with their feet for city life. The rate of domestic migration in the 2010-to-2013 time period was positive only for the most urban counties, those ranking a 1 or 2 on the Rural-Urban Continuum (counties in metro areas with 250,000 or more people). For less urban and rural counties, the domestic migration rate was negative—meaning more Americans moved out than moved in. Not only are less urban and rural counties losing residents to migration, but in the most rural counties—those ranking 8 or 9 on the Rural-Urban Continuum—deaths exceeded births in the 2010-to-2013 time period. This double whammy is resulting in historic population losses in the nation's small towns and countryside.
What is behind these trends? One reason for the strong growth of the nation's urban counties is domestic migration: Americans are voting with their feet for city life. The rate of domestic migration in the 2010-to-2013 time period was positive only for the most urban counties, those ranking a 1 or 2 on the Rural-Urban Continuum (counties in metro areas with 250,000 or more people). For less urban and rural counties, the domestic migration rate was negative—meaning more Americans moved out than moved in. Not only are less urban and rural counties losing residents to migration, but in the most rural counties—those ranking 8 or 9 on the Rural-Urban Continuum—deaths exceeded births in the 2010-to-2013 time period. This double whammy is resulting in historic population losses in the nation's small towns and countryside.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Medicaid Pays for almost Half of Deliveries
In the United States...
41 percent of babies are born to unmarried women, up from 11 percent in 1970
28 percent of children live in a single-parent family, up from 12 percent in 1970
22 percent of children are poor, up from 15 percent in 1970
What if these problems have the same root cause—the dysfunctional American health insurance system? New data being collected from birth certificates suggest that, in fact, this might be the case.
Among babies born in 2011, Medicaid paid for fully 45 percent of deliveries. This figure almost equals the 46 percent of deliveries paid for by private health insurance. Medicaid is the government's health insurance program for the poor. With a normal hospital delivery averaging $9,000, the many young adults who do not have employer-provided health insurance (48 percent of the nation's 18-to-34-year-olds) are making a rational economic choice to stay single as they become parents. If they married, the combined income of husband and wife—even if they earned no more than minimum wage—would boost their household income above the Medicaid threshold. For many young adults, marriage would result in financial ruin because of the lack of health insurance.
As the Affordable Care Act unfolds, it may have the unforeseen benefit of reducing out-of-wedlock births, single-parent families, and childhood poverty. By mandating maternity coverage in health insurance plans, and by subsidizing health insurance for low-income workers, getting married before having a baby may begin to make sense again.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Newly Released Data from the Revised U.S. Birth Certificate, 2011
41 percent of babies are born to unmarried women, up from 11 percent in 1970
28 percent of children live in a single-parent family, up from 12 percent in 1970
22 percent of children are poor, up from 15 percent in 1970
What if these problems have the same root cause—the dysfunctional American health insurance system? New data being collected from birth certificates suggest that, in fact, this might be the case.
Among babies born in 2011, Medicaid paid for fully 45 percent of deliveries. This figure almost equals the 46 percent of deliveries paid for by private health insurance. Medicaid is the government's health insurance program for the poor. With a normal hospital delivery averaging $9,000, the many young adults who do not have employer-provided health insurance (48 percent of the nation's 18-to-34-year-olds) are making a rational economic choice to stay single as they become parents. If they married, the combined income of husband and wife—even if they earned no more than minimum wage—would boost their household income above the Medicaid threshold. For many young adults, marriage would result in financial ruin because of the lack of health insurance.
As the Affordable Care Act unfolds, it may have the unforeseen benefit of reducing out-of-wedlock births, single-parent families, and childhood poverty. By mandating maternity coverage in health insurance plans, and by subsidizing health insurance for low-income workers, getting married before having a baby may begin to make sense again.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Newly Released Data from the Revised U.S. Birth Certificate, 2011
Friday, December 06, 2013
Births Stable, Fertility Rate Falls through June 2013
The downward slide in births may have come to a halt, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. During the 12-month period ending in June 2013, 3,941,000 babies were born in the United States. This was not statistically different from the number of births during the 12-month period ending in June 2012. Since the 2007 peak, when 4,316,233 babies were born, births have fallen by 9 percent. During the baby bust of the 1970s, which created Generation X, births fell by a much larger 37 percent from peak (1957) to trough (1973).
Although births are stable, the fertility rate is not. The fertility rate—which is the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44—fell to 62.7 during the 12-month period ending in June 2013. This is a new record low.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Trends in Births and Fertility Rates through June 2013
Although births are stable, the fertility rate is not. The fertility rate—which is the number of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44—fell to 62.7 during the 12-month period ending in June 2013. This is a new record low.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Trends in Births and Fertility Rates through June 2013
Friday, September 06, 2013
Baby Bust Update: 8% Birth Decline
According to preliminary estimates for 2012, the baby bust continues but the decline is slowing. The nation's 2012 fertility rate was 63.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44, the lowest on record and 9.4 percent below the 2007 high of 69.5. The fertility rate of women under age 30 is at a record low, but the rate among women aged 30 to 34 climbed slightly between 2011 and 2012 as those who had been postponing childbearing played catchup.
Overall, 3,952,937 babies were born in 2012. This was 8.4 percent below the 4,316,233 born in the peak birth year of 2007. So far, the Great Recession baby bust is not as deep as the 10.7 percent Great Depression bust, and it's not likely to reach that level because the decline is slowing. For some perspective, keep in mind that the decline in births from the peak year of the baby boom in 1957 to the trough year of the baby bust (Generation X) in 1973 was a much larger 27 percent.
Number (and percent distribution) of births by race and Hispanic origin in 2012
Total: 3,952,937 (100.0%)
Asian: 272,949 (6.9%)
Black: 583,080 (14.8%)
Hispanic: 907,405 (23.0%)
Non-Hispanic white: 2,133,115 (54.0%)
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2012
Overall, 3,952,937 babies were born in 2012. This was 8.4 percent below the 4,316,233 born in the peak birth year of 2007. So far, the Great Recession baby bust is not as deep as the 10.7 percent Great Depression bust, and it's not likely to reach that level because the decline is slowing. For some perspective, keep in mind that the decline in births from the peak year of the baby boom in 1957 to the trough year of the baby bust (Generation X) in 1973 was a much larger 27 percent.
Number (and percent distribution) of births by race and Hispanic origin in 2012
Total: 3,952,937 (100.0%)
Asian: 272,949 (6.9%)
Black: 583,080 (14.8%)
Hispanic: 907,405 (23.0%)
Non-Hispanic white: 2,133,115 (54.0%)
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Preliminary Data for 2012
Monday, August 26, 2013
Circumcision: 1979 and 2010
In 2010, 58.3 percent of male newborns discharged from hospitals had been circumcised during their hospitalization, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This figure is down from 64.5 percent in 1979, but up from the low of 55.4 percent in 2007.
Circumcision rates have dropped sharply in the West since 1979. In that year, 63.9 percent of newborn males were circumcised. The figure fell to a low of 31.4 percent in 2003 and rebounded to 40.2 percent by 2010. Circumcision rates in the other regions have been more stable over the years. In 2010 the rates were 58.4 percent in the South, 66.3 percent in the Northeast, and 71.0 percent in the Midwest.
Circumcision rates have dropped sharply in the West since 1979. In that year, 63.9 percent of newborn males were circumcised. The figure fell to a low of 31.4 percent in 2003 and rebounded to 40.2 percent by 2010. Circumcision rates in the other regions have been more stable over the years. In 2010 the rates were 58.4 percent in the South, 66.3 percent in the Northeast, and 71.0 percent in the Midwest.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Fertility Status of American Men
Among men aged 15 to 44, more than three out of four (77 percent) are "presumed fertile," according to the National Survey of Family Growth. Here is the fertility status of men by age...
Aged 15 to 24: 94.3%
Aged 25 to 29: 87.8%
Aged 30 to 34: 73.9%
Aged 35 to 39: 60.8%
Aged 40 to 44: 48.1%
What accounts for the decline in the fertility of men by age? Mostly their own or their partner's surgical sterility. By their early forties, 40 percent of men (or their partners) are surgically sterile. A much smaller percentage of men are "subfertile" (meaning they would have difficulty fathering a child). The figure ranges from a low of 3 to 4 percent among men under age 30 to between 6 and 8 percent among men aged 30 to 44.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: Data from the National Survey of Family Growth
Aged 15 to 24: 94.3%
Aged 25 to 29: 87.8%
Aged 30 to 34: 73.9%
Aged 35 to 39: 60.8%
Aged 40 to 44: 48.1%
What accounts for the decline in the fertility of men by age? Mostly their own or their partner's surgical sterility. By their early forties, 40 percent of men (or their partners) are surgically sterile. A much smaller percentage of men are "subfertile" (meaning they would have difficulty fathering a child). The figure ranges from a low of 3 to 4 percent among men under age 30 to between 6 and 8 percent among men aged 30 to 44.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: Data from the National Survey of Family Growth
Fecundity Status of American Women
Among American women aged 15 to 44, two out of three (66.5 percent) are fecund (meaning they are able to have children), according to the National Survey of Family Growth. Another 22.7 percent are surgically sterile, and 10.9 percent have impaired fecundity (difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a baby to term). By age, here is the percentage of women who are "presumed fecund"...
Aged 15 to 24: 92.0%
Aged 25 to 29: 74.3%
Aged 30 to 34: 61.1%
Aged 35 to 39: 46.0%
Aged 40 to 44: 33.5%
What accounts for the plunge in fecundity with age? Surgical sterilization. The percentage of women who have been surgically sterilized rises from essentially zero among the youngest women to 49 percent among those aged 40 to 44. Interestingly, the percentage of women with impaired fecundity shows little variation by age. It is 7 percent among the youngest women and ranges from 12 to 14 percent among women aged 25 to 44.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Infertility and Impaired Fecundity in the United States, 1982-2010: Data from the National Survey of Family Growth
Monday, July 08, 2013
Age at First Birth
On average, American women are 25.6 years old when they have their first baby, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. This is up from an average age of 21.4 in 1970.
A woman's age at first birth varies by race and Hispanic origin, ranging from a low of 22.4 for American Indian women to 29.1 for Asian women. Average age at first birth is 23.4 for black women, 23.7 for Hispanic women, and 26.5 for non-Hispanic white women.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2011
A woman's age at first birth varies by race and Hispanic origin, ranging from a low of 22.4 for American Indian women to 29.1 for Asian women. Average age at first birth is 23.4 for black women, 23.7 for Hispanic women, and 26.5 for non-Hispanic white women.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2011
Friday, June 14, 2013
2012 Births: Projected vs. Estimated
Americans had fewer babies in 2012 than the Census Bureau had projected. The bureau projected 4,209,571 births in 2012, but its population estimates through July 1, 2012 show only 3,953,593 babies were born during the previous 12 months. The estimate is short of the projection by a substantial 255,978.
The estimated number of births in every race-and-Hispanic-origin group was 5 to 7 percent less than projected. In both projections and estimates, however, births to Asians, blacks, and Hispanics accounted for just over 50 percent of the total.
The estimated number of births in every race-and-Hispanic-origin group was 5 to 7 percent less than projected. In both projections and estimates, however, births to Asians, blacks, and Hispanics accounted for just over 50 percent of the total.
Thursday, June 06, 2013
Births in 2012
The baby bust continues. The number of births in 2012 was unchanged from the number in 2011, according to provisional estimates released by the National Center for Health Statistics. In 2012, 3,958,000 babies were born, 8 percent below the all-time high of 4,316,233 in 2007.
The fertility rate (number of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44) continues at its all-time low. The rate was 63.2 in 2012, the same as in 2011 and 9 percent below the 69.3 of 2007.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Trends in Births and Fertility Rates through December 2012
The fertility rate (number of births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44) continues at its all-time low. The rate was 63.2 in 2012, the same as in 2011 and 9 percent below the 69.3 of 2007.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Recent Trends in Births and Fertility Rates through December 2012
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Teen Birth Rate Plunges
If you think teenagers aren't paying attention to current events, these findings may change your mind. Between 2007 and 2011, the birth rate of the nation's 15-to-19-year-olds fell by a stunning 25 percent, to a record low of 31.3 births per 1,000 women in the age group. Shocked by the Great Recession, sexually active teens became more vigilant about using birth control.
Between 2007 and 2011, the birth rate of Hispanic teenagers fell 34 percent, more than the 24 percent decline for blacks and the 20 percent decline for non-Hispanic whites. The birth rate of Hispanic teens fell by 60 percent in Mississippi and by at least 50 percent in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Declines in State Teen Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin
Between 2007 and 2011, the birth rate of Hispanic teenagers fell 34 percent, more than the 24 percent decline for blacks and the 20 percent decline for non-Hispanic whites. The birth rate of Hispanic teens fell by 60 percent in Mississippi and by at least 50 percent in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics, Declines in State Teen Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Nonmetro Counties Are in Decline
A record number of nonmetropolitan counties are losing population, according to the USDA's Economic Research Service. Between 2010 and 2012, fully 1,261 nonmetropolitan counties lost a combined 302,000 people. The decline is occurring in nearly two-thirds of the nation's nonmetropolitan counties.
Behind the decline is ongoing outmigration to metropolitan areas and the baby bust. In many nonmetropolitan counties, deaths now exceed births. Coupled with outmigration, the consequence is population loss. About 300 counties experienced "natural decrease" for the first time during the 2010-12 time period. For a map of these counties, click on the link.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Recent Population Change
Behind the decline is ongoing outmigration to metropolitan areas and the baby bust. In many nonmetropolitan counties, deaths now exceed births. Coupled with outmigration, the consequence is population loss. About 300 counties experienced "natural decrease" for the first time during the 2010-12 time period. For a map of these counties, click on the link.
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Recent Population Change
Sunday, May 12, 2013
SSA Stats: Baby Bust Continues
For the past few decades, the IRS has required parents to provide Social Security numbers for dependent children on their tax returns. Since then, all newborns in the United States receive Social Security numbers, and applications for numbers by year of birth closely track actual births. While the Social Security Administration's numbers are not exactly the same as the complete count of births provided by the National Center for Health Statistics, they are available sooner and are an excellent indicator of trends in births.
The latest statistics show that the baby bust continues. In 2012, the Social Security Administration provided 3,931,200 numbers for newborns. This was 19,502 fewer than in 2011 and 393,000 below the peak year of 2007. Although the baby bust is ongoing, the decline is slowing. The biggest year-over-year drop (-133,499) occurred between 2009 and 2010.
Source: Social Security Administration, Social Security Number Holders
The latest statistics show that the baby bust continues. In 2012, the Social Security Administration provided 3,931,200 numbers for newborns. This was 19,502 fewer than in 2011 and 393,000 below the peak year of 2007. Although the baby bust is ongoing, the decline is slowing. The biggest year-over-year drop (-133,499) occurred between 2009 and 2010.
Source: Social Security Administration, Social Security Number Holders
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