U.S., Australia Fertility Rates Hit Record Lows

U.S. fertility has continued to fall, reaching a record low of about 53 births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44 in 2025, while teen pregnancies declined and more women delayed having children until their 30s. Articles cite the high cost of raising children, changing education and career priorities, and lower marriage rates among factors shaping family decisions; President Donald Trump has considered a $5,000 baby bonus to encourage births. The trend is also evident in Australia, where fertility fell to 1.481 births per woman in 2024, with some young adults citing climate change, economic insecurity and other fears about the future as reasons not to have children.