U.S. Births Reach Over 3.6 Million in 2024, Showing Slight Increase from Previous Year

In 2024, the United States experienced a modest rise in birth numbers, with a total of approximately 3,622,673 births recorded. This marks a 1% increase compared to 2023, according to a provisional report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Researchers led by Brady E. Hamilton, Ph.D., from the National Center for Health Statistics analyzed data representing nearly 99.92% of all birth records received as of early February 2025.

The data reveal that the general fertility rate per 1,000 females aged 15 to 44 years was 54.6, reflecting a slight uptick from the previous year. The total fertility rate—measuring the average number of children a woman would have over her lifetime—stood at 1,626.5, again showing a marginal increase. Birth rate trends varied across age groups: while rates declined among teenagers aged 15 to 19, they increased among women aged 25 to 44. Specifically, birth rates for teenagers decreased by 3%, with 12.7 births per 1,000 females in this age group.

In terms of delivery methods, cesarean births slightly increased from 32.3% in 2023 to 32.4% in 2024, though the low-risk cesarean rate remained steady at 26.6%. The preterm birth rate remained unchanged at 10.41%, indicating persistent trends in birth outcomes.

Overall, these statistics provide essential insights into demographic shifts and healthcare practices surrounding childbirth in the U.S. for 2024. For more detailed information, refer to the full CDC report: source.