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 the total maternal rate to 63.5%, continuing a broadly stable trend over recent years. Mothers average 2.52 children, placing the country among those with the highest children per mother internationally, while mean maternal age nudges upward to 28.0 years, remaining relatively young compared to global counterparts.
- The fertility gap increased slightly to 22.7%, indicating a modest rise in unrealized fertility compared to recent years.
- Childlessness remains steady at 36.5%, consistent with the past five years' trend.
- One-child motherhood has been on the rise, increasing by 2.5 percentage points since 2022, while two-child families have slightly declined.
- The United States ranks low globally in average maternal age but relatively high in children per mother, highlighting contrasting aspects of its fertility profile.
In 2024, the United States shows stable birth patterns with moderate total maternal rate and one of the highest children per mother averages globally.
- Total maternal rate near long-term level, ranked 23rd of 42 countries
- Children per mother remains high, ranking 2nd globally
- Mean maternal age is low, placed 38th among 42 countries
- Total fertility gap is low, ranking 40th with rising trend
- Childlessness stable, ranked 21st among 42 countries
Key fertility indicators — The The United States
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 63.5% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 36.5% |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 46 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 63.5%. There has been a small decline from 2023 (down 0.5pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been broadly stable; the 2020–2024 average is 63.6%. Looking back to the 2020s (63.6%), TMR stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, the US ranks 23 out of 42 countries for TMR.
| 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)
In 2024, mothers in the US had an average of 2.52 children. It remains broadly stable compared with 2023 (little change). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is falling with an average of 2.57. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.57), mothers in the US are now having close to that long-run level children on average.
Globally, the US has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 2/42).
| 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 US’s mean age at childbearing is 28.0 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.1 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 27.8 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 27.8 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, the US has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 38/42).
| 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.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, the US’s TFG is 22.7% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.60). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.0pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 21.0% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (21.0%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 1.7pp.
Globally, the US has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 40/42).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 7.1% |
| 1980 | 12.3% | 2020 | 20.9% |
| 1990 | 0.5% | 2023 | 21.7% |
| 2000 | 1.0% | 2024 | 22.7%* |
Source: Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from NCHS.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for the US stands at 6.9% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 12.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (12.2%), today’s FWG is lower by about 5.3pp.
Globally, the US is ranked last among 39 countries (lowest FWG).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, SHL in the US is 80.7 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 3.8 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 87.5 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 87.5 years), SHL now stands lower by about 6.8 years.
Globally, the US has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 3/42).
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 highest TGI values (ranked 3/42).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2105 - Births down 75% in 2185 - Births down 90% in 2292
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 3,628,934 in 2024 to 1,814,467 in 2105, and by 90% to 362,893 in 2292 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in the US is 36.5% as of 2024. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 0.5pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been broadly stable (average 36.4% across 2020–2024). Looking back to the 2020s (36.4%), childlessness is now close to that long-run level.
Globally, the US ranks 21 out of 42 countries for childlessness.
| 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
Total births in the US were 3,628,934 in 2024. It is up from 2023 by 35,900 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 3,631,786 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (3,631,786), total births are now lower by 2,852 births.
| 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.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for the US stands at 6.9% in 2024. It declined relative to 2023 (down 3.6pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), FWG has been falling with an average of 12.2%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (12.2%), today’s FWG is lower by about 5.3pp.
Globally, the US is ranked last among 39 countries (lowest FWG).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
