United States
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, the the US shows a slight decline in total maternal rate to 63.5%, marking a continued gradual decrease over recent years from the 1970s peak. Meanwhile, fertility patterns are shifting with a subtle rise in lifetime childlessness and a modest increase in mean maternal age, reflecting evolving family behaviors and demographic trends.
- The average number of children per mother remains stable around 2.52, holding the highest level among comparable countries despite a small decrease from previous years.
- Lifetime childlessness rose marginally to 36.5%, continuing a steady upward trend and standing notably higher than the 1970s baseline of 26.8%.
- Mean maternal age edged up to 28.0 years, about 5 years older than in the 1970s, indicating delayed childbearing in the population.
- The generational birthgap indicator increased slightly to 22.7%, suggesting more parents are having fewer children compared to previous decades.
In 2024, maternal and fertility trends in the United States show a slight decline in births and stable children per mother figures, with notable generational and age characteristics.
- TMR slightly down from previous year, ranks 20th of 38 globally
- Highest children per mother count worldwide at 2.52
- Mean age at childbearing low, ranking 34th of 38
- High lifetime childlessness rate, positioned 19th globally
- Societal half-life long, third highest among 38 countries
Key fertility indicators — The The United States
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.5% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.52 |
| Birthgap Indicator (TFG) | 22.7% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 80.7 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 46 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) for 2024 stands at 63.5%, showing a slight decrease of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. Looking back over the last five years, the TMR has generally been on a downward trend, averaging 63.6% from 2020 to 2024. When compared to the average in the 1970s, which was 73.2%, the current rate is about 9.7 percentage points lower. The period with the lowest recorded TMR was in the late 1990s (1997–1999), where it averaged 81.6%. On a global scale, the U.S. is placed 20th among 38 countries.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 85.4% | 2010 | 76.7% |
| 1980 | 75.6% | 2020 | 62.9% |
| 1990 | 86.1% | 2023 | 64.0% |
| 2000 | 82.7% | 2024 | 63.5%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Children per mother (CPM)
The children per mother (CPM) in the the US stood at 2.52 in 2024, showing only a slight decrease from 2.53 in 2023. Over the last five years, the CPM trend has been declining, averaging 2.57 during that period. When compared to the 1970s average of 2.61, the current figure is roughly 0.10 lower. This places the the US at the top globally for CPM, ranking 38th out of 38 countries.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 2.87 | 2010 | 2.51 |
| 1980 | 2.40 | 2020 | 2.60 |
| 1990 | 2.39 | 2023 | 2.53 |
| 2000 | 2.48 | 2024 | 2.52* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Average maternal age (AMA)
The average maternal age in the the US reached 27.98 years in 2024, showing a modest increase of 0.13 years from 2023. This measure has been steadily climbing over the last five years, with the average standing at 27.77 years during that period. Compared to the 1970s, when the average maternal age was 22.79 years, today's figure is 5.2 years higher. Despite this rise, the the US ranks relatively low on the global scale, holding the 34th position out of 38 countries in terms of average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 22.43 | 2010 | 26.06 |
| 1980 | 23.44 | 2020 | 27.51 |
| 1990 | 24.33 | 2023 | 27.85 |
| 2000 | 25.20 | 2024 | 27.98* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
The Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 22.7% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.60. This marks a slight increase from 2023, up by 1.0 percentage point. Over the past five years, the trend in TFG has been upward, averaging 21.0% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the 1970s average of 10.0%, the current level is about 12.7 percentage points higher. The indicator hit its lowest point in the mid-2000s, averaging 0.0% during 2006–2008. Despite recent rises, the the US remains among the countries with the lowest TFG worldwide, ranking 36th out of 38.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 7.1% |
| 1980 | 12.3% | 2020 | 20.9% |
| 1990 | 0.5% | 2023 | 21.7% |
| 2000 | 1.1% | 2024 | 22.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, the US’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 80.7 years. It has decreased by 3.7 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 87.5 years. Compared with the 1970s average (163.2 years), SHL is now shorter by about 82.6 years.
Globally, the US has one of the longest SHL values (ranked 3/38).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in the US, there would be 46 great-grandchildren, representing a -54.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, the US has one of the lowest TGI drops (ranked 36/38).
Birth trajectory
If the birth trajectory observed in 2024 continues, total births are projected to decline significantly over the coming centuries. Starting from 3,628,934 births in 2024, the number is expected to drop by 50% to 1,814,467 by the year 2105. This downward trend would persist, with births decreasing by 75% by 2185 and reaching a 90% reduction to 362,893 by 2292, assuming no changes due to migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
In 2024, the lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in the the US stands at 36.5%, a slight increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has shown an upward trend, averaging 36.4% between 2020 and 2024. This figure is approximately 9.7 percentage points higher than the rate typical of the 1970s, which was 26.8%. Among 38 countries worldwide, the US holds the 19th position based on its TCR.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14.6% | 2010 | 23.3% |
| 1980 | 24.4% | 2020 | 37.1% |
| 1990 | 13.9% | 2023 | 36.0% |
| 2000 | 17.3% | 2024 | 36.5%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Total births
In 2024, the the US recorded 3,628,934 total births, which is an increase of 35,900 from the previous year. The five-year average for total births stands at 3,631,786 annually, showing a generally rising trend during this period. When looking back to the 1970s, the average number of births was 3,319,069, meaning recent totals are higher by 309,865 births, reflecting a 9.3% increase.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3.72M | 2010 | 3.99M |
| 1980 | 3.60M | 2020 | 3.61M |
| 1990 | 4.15M | 2023 | 3.59M |
| 2000 | 4.05M | 2024 | 3.63M* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
The Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) in the the US reached 6.9% in 2024, marking a decrease of 3.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the BRI showed a rising trend with an average value of 12.1%. When compared to the 1970s average of -40.9%, the current rate is higher by approximately 47.7 percentage points. Among 35 global counterparts, the U.S. holds the lowest BRI value, ranking last overall.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | -58.2% | 2010 | 12.3% |
| 1980 | -56.7% | 2020 | 14.2% |
| 1990 | -71.5% | 2023 | 10.5% |
| 2000 | -7.2% | 2024 | 6.9%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
