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Poor Economy Continues to Depress US Birth Rates

October 11th, 2012

by SBrinkmann

A new government report reveals that U.S. births fell in 2011 for the fourth straight year, although the decline was just one percent, less than the two to three percent drop seen in recent years.

 

The Associated Press reports that the struggling economy is continuing to result in lower birth rates across the country, even though last year’s decline was not as great as in past years. Still, fewer than four million births were counted last year, which is the lowest number since 1998.

One of the most surprising declines was seen in Hispanic birth rates, a population that is said to have been disproportionately affected by the poor economy, which fell by a surprising six percent in 2011.

Most experts say the economy is to blame.

“Among the people who study this sort of thing, the flagging economy has been seen as the primary explanation,” the AP reports. “The theory is that many women or couples who are out of work, underemployed or have other money problems feel they can’t afford to start a family or add to it.”

Teen birth rates have also continued to decline, but this is due to a decline in sexual activity and an increase in the number of girls who are using contraceptives rather than to the economy.

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