United States
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
The the US saw a slight decline in its total maternal rate to 63.5% in 2024, continuing a gradual downward trend from previous years. While the average number of children per mother remains the highest globally at 2.52, it has shown minimal change compared to 2023. Notably, life expectancy experienced a significant drop of nearly 3.7 years, an unusual and concerning development.
- Lifetime childlessness grew to 36.5%, slightly higher than in 2023 and well above the 1970s level.
- The average maternal age increased marginally to 28.0 years, continuing a steady rise over the last five years.
- The generational birthgap index rose to 22.7%, reflecting a modest increase in birth spacing compared to previous years.
In 2024, maternal and fertility rates in the United States show slight declines and generally low rankings despite minor increases in some birth figures.
- Total maternal rate slightly declined, ranking 20th globally
- Children per mother highest globally at 2.52
- Mean maternal age is low, ranked 34th out of 38
- Lifetime childlessness rate rising, mid-ranked at 19th
- Societal Half-Life remains one of the longest, ranked 3rd globally
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) stood at 63.5% in 2024, showing a slight decrease of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. Recent data from 2020 to 2024 reveals a modest decline, with a five-year average TMR of 63.6%. When compared to the 1970s average of 73.2%, the current level is about 9.7 percentage points lower. Historically, the lowest recorded TMR occurred between 1997 and 1999, averaging 81.6%. Among 38 countries worldwide, the the US holds the 20th position in motherhood prevalence.
| 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 was 2.52 in 2024, showing minimal change from 2.53 in 2023. Over the last five years, this number has been on a downward trend, averaging 2.57. When set against the 1970s average of 2.61, the current CPM is roughly 0.10 lower. The nation's CPM stands as the highest globally, positioned at 38 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 has reached 27.98 years in 2024, reflecting a small increase of 0.13 years from 27.85 in 2023. Over the last five years, this figure has steadily risen, with the average maternal age settling at 27.77 years. Compared to the 1970s, the current AMA is up by approximately 5.2 years. Despite this upward trend, the the US ranks among the countries with lower average maternal ages, positioned 34th out of 38 globally.
| 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) for 2024 stands at 22.7% (corresponding to a total fertility rate of 1.60), slightly up from 21.7% in 2023, marking a 1.0 percentage point increase. Over the past five years, this indicator has shown a rising trend, averaging 21.0% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to its average in the 1970s, which was 10.0%, the current level is approximately 12.7 percentage points higher. The lowest recorded TFG occurred during the mid-2000s, specifically from 2006 to 2008, averaging around 0.0%. On a global scale, the the US ranks towards the lower end with one of the smallest TFG values, placing 36th out of 38 countries.
| 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
According to the birth patterns observed in 2024, the total number of births is projected to decline significantly over the coming centuries. By 2105, births are expected to decrease by half, dropping from 3,628,934 in 2024 to approximately 1,814,467. This downward trend continues, with births predicted to fall by 75% by 2185 and reach a 90% reduction to around 362,893 by the year 2292, assuming there are no changes due to migration.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The lifetime childlessness rate (TCR) in the the US reached 36.5% in 2024, marking a slight increase of 0.5 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has generally trended upward, averaging 36.4% between 2020 and 2024. This figure stands significantly above the average seen in the 1970s, which was 26.8%, representing an increase of nearly 9.7 percentage points. Among a group of 38 countries worldwide, the the US ranks 19th in terms of this metric.
| 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, marking an increase of 35,900 from the previous year. Looking at the last five years, total births have averaged 3,631,786 annually, with a general upward trend. When compared to the 1970s average of 3,319,069, the current number is 309,865 births higher, representing a 9.3% rise.
| 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)
In 2024, the Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) for the the US is 6.9%, marking a decrease of 3.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the five years from 2020 to 2024, the BRI has been on a downward trend, averaging 12.1%. Compared to the 1970s average of -40.9%, the latest rate is approximately 47.7 percentage points higher. Among 35 countries, the the US ranks last in BRI value.
| 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.
