Summary
Recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that more older women in the U.S. are having children as they move into their late 40s, despite a general decline in birth rates across the country. Birth rates among teenagers and young women are dropping, and higher percentages of childlessness are noted in these groups. This trend indicates changing attitudes toward family planning and career choices in America.
Key Facts
- More women are having children in their late 40s in the U.S.
- Overall birth rates are declining in most age groups.
- In 2024, 14.9% of women aged 45-50 were childless, down from 16.7% in 2014.
- Among teenagers aged 15-19, 97.8% were childless in 2024, compared to 95.9% in 2014.
- Teen births dropped from 599,926 in 1975 to 136,376 in 2024.
- Childlessness in women aged 20-24 increased from 75% in 2014 to 85% in 2024.
- Economic considerations and cultural shifts are influencing family planning decisions.
