U.S.

U.S. Birth Rate Declines For Sixth Straight Year

The CDC reports the birth rate was down four percent in 2020 and it recorded the lowest number of births since 1979.

U.S. Birth Rate Declines For Sixth Straight Year
Charles Krupa / AP
SMS

The U.S. birth rate has declined for the sixth year in a row.

The federal government reports it went down four percent last year compared to 2019's numbers.

About 3.6 million babies were born in 2020 – the lowest total since 1979. 

The birth rate fell to record lows for older teens and younger women. The pandemic may have had an impact.