US and Australia Record Lowest Fertility Rates on Record

The United States is experiencing a historic low in fertility rates, with the general fertility rate dropping to 53.8 births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44 in 2024, marking an all-time low. Although the total number of births slightly increased by 1% to over 3.6 million, fewer women overall are having children, with birth rates declining notably among those aged 15 to 34 and increasing only among women aged 40 to 44. This trend reflects broader social shifts, as people face economic challenges and uncertainties about the future that impact family planning decisions. The total fertility rate stands at 1.6 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1, raising concerns about long-term demographic and economic consequences. Similar patterns are observed globally, with countries like Italy and Japan also struggling with aging populations and low birth rates. Experts emphasize the need to understand these dynamics to address potential impacts on the workforce and society.