As of 2025, the U.S. fertility rate has fallen to a record low of 1.6 births per woman, and is only continuing to drop. This situation follows an ongoing trend since 2007, with the birth rate falling well below the 2.1 “replacement level” needed for population stability, and has caused many people in the nation to become deeply concerned about future generations. 

The fertility rate has fallen to 53.1 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44, marking a historic low. In 2025, roughly 3.6 million babies were born, about 700,000 fewer than in 2007. Many have attributed this decline, in part, to teen pregnancies dropping 72% since 2007; however, teenagers only account for 10-15% of the total fertility decline. 

Women in their early 20s and 30s are also delaying motherhood, with their birth rates dropping sharply, with nearly 63% of women aged 25-29 being childless in 2024, up from around 50% in 2014. Many women are choosing to wait or not have kids at all, with a 23% drop off that has been on a downward trend for two decades. Currently, not enough babies are being born to repopulate after the older generations are gone. 

This situation is totally unsustainable for the country’s future. 

Although many promote the idea of getting married and having more children, others cheer the dwindling population. Many young people say they either don’t want children or simply can’t afford them. Others have suggested that the reason behind the current climate is due to dwindling marriage statistics or an excess of birth control and abortion pills being pushed on women. Either way, the situation is only going to get worse if something is not done to incentivize young people to have children and start families.