Declining Birth Rate in America
The birth rate in the United States is seeing a notable decline. Yet, some younger women are stepping up, perhaps feeling a sense of responsibility to counteract this trend.
Currently, the average American woman of childbearing age (15-49) is expected to have only 1.7 children throughout her life, which falls short of the 2.1 need for population replacement. Many in the younger generations, including Zoomers and millennials, are opting not to have children, citing various factors like financial pressures, climate change, and career priorities.
This trend raises alarms among demographers concerned about the potential economic and social consequences of a smaller, aging population—a crisis already impacting countries like Japan and South Korea.
Ashley Hartig, 29, is a mother of three and presents a different perspective. For her, choosing to start a family meant turning away from societal pressures like the “girl boss” mindset.
“I never felt the urge to chase a career,” she shared. “Once I had my first child, everything clicked into place.” Hartig lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband Derek and their children—an 8-year-old son, a 5-year-old daughter, and a 15-month-old son.
“Every day brings me so much joy,” she reflected. “I try to make even the mundane feel special, all because of my kids.”
Despite her happiness, the journey to building a family wasn’t straightforward. The couple faced several challenges, including multiple job changes and financial instability. Hartig mentions that many young women express a desire for a stay-at-home lifestyle but often find it financially unfeasible.
“I think the biggest barrier is definitely financial,” she commented. “A lot of people wish to stay at home, but if your partner’s job isn’t secure and well-paying, it can feel almost impossible.”
A 2024 Pew survey revealed that 36% of those under 50 who don’t plan on having children attribute their decision to high child-rearing costs.
Interestingly, the top reason people gave for not wanting kids was simply that they don’t desire them (57%). This was followed by career focus (44%), worries about the world currently (38%), environmental concerns (26%), lack of usable partnerships (24%), and just a general disinterest in children (20%).
“A lot of my friends feel disillusioned,” Lillian admitted, working within an education nonprofit while dividing her time between Boston and elsewhere. “It feels like nothing holds real meaning anymore, especially with challenges like the economy and even AI looming over us.”
She has heard the criticism directed at her hopes for a large family. “People have a lot of opinions. They claim I’m overpopulating the planet, or pushing this lifestyle which they don’t fancy,” she noted. “But at the end of the day, family matters significantly.”
Even without a partner, Lillian remains committed to her dream of a large family, motivated by a desire to perpetuate her beliefs and values.
“I see an importance in nurturing kids who share my outlook, ultimately contributing positively to the future,” she explained, mentioning virtues such as openness and resilience that she hopes to instill.
She relates closely to the growing Pronatalist Movement, which includes figures like Elon Musk, who fears declining birth rates. However, Lillian also states, “My choices aren’t simply influenced by the movement—it’s more about wanting to engage meaningfully with the world.”
Family policy analyst Emma Waters highlights how discussions around birth rates often connect to wider societal issues, ranging from national security to economic health.
“Religious perspectives also play a significant role among groups, such as Catholics and Jews, who often have strong motivations for larger families,” she added.
Naomi Greene, hailing from a large orthodox Jewish family, appreciates the closeness that comes with having many siblings.
“Growing up, I wasn’t too fond of it,” the 28-year-old Connecticut resident shared. “But now, I realize how valuable that sense of community is.” Recently welcoming her second child, Greene plans to expand her family even further.
“I want my kids to feel that they belong to a constantly supportive team,” she said, eyeing her studies to become a physician’s assistant.
The contrasting desires for children have resulted in what’s termed the “infertility gap.” Research indicates that while the average American woman desires about 2.5 children, the actual number she has ends up being closer to 1.7.
Waters is examining family policies aimed at addressing this gap because she’s also intent on having a larger family herself.
In her role at the Heritage Foundation, she and her team focus on welfare reforms that eliminate penalties for marriage, adjust tax laws beneficial for parents, and support couples facing infertility issues.
Madison Ray, a mother of three, finds herself navigating the societal perceptions of having a larger family, especially in urban settings.
“People around here often question my choice,” Ray said. “But I believe this trend of larger families is actually taking root, even in places like Tribeca.”
Married to a finance professional and having grown up as an only child, Ray always wished for a big family. Currently, she has a 7-year-old daughter, a 4-year-old son, and a 5-month-old son.
“I can’t imagine life without these kids,” she reflected. As she strolls through the city, her thoughts frequently turn to growing her family even further.
