Summary
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the country's fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman has, will decrease to 1.55 by 2100. This decline may lead to an aging population with fewer working-age people to support the elderly. Policymakers are considering measures like financial incentives and family-friendly policies to address this issue.
Key Facts
- The U.S. fertility rate is expected to fall from 1.63 to 1.55 by 2100.
- The replacement rate needed to maintain the population without immigration is 2.1 children per woman.
- Reasons for the decline include financial challenges and cultural changes.
- Potential solutions include offering financial incentives like a "baby bonus."
- Other measures could involve free childbirth for families with private insurance and improving parental leave and child care support.
- Some experts suggest planning for an aging population with adaptable pension and health care systems.
- Immigration is viewed by some as a strategy to help maintain the workforce amidst declining birth rates.
