U.S. birth rate drops to record low, but older women are having more babies

The U.S. birth rate fell to its lowest level ever recorded, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The drop would have been greater, but women over age 30 are having more children.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/5684x3789+0+0/resize/5684x3789!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8c%2F29%2F6861f1194bd8997988121c97f379%2Fgettyimages-2206454176.jpg' alt='Fewer women in their 20s are choosing to become mothers, leading to an overall birthrate decline in the U.S. But the birth rate among U.S. women age 30-45 is rising according to the latest federal data.'/><p>The U.S. birth rate fell to its lowest level ever recorded, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The drop would have been greater, but women over age 30 are having more children.</p><p>(Image credit: CHARLY TRIBALLEAU)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-6012804' />