Births: Preliminary Data for 2013

NCHS has released a new report that presents preliminary data for 2013 on births in the United States.  U.S. data on births are shown by age, live-birth order, race, and Hispanic origin of mother. Data on marital status, cesarean delivery, preterm births, and low birthweight are also presented.

Key Findings from the Report:

• The 2013 preliminary number of births for the United States was 3,957,577, slightly more births (4,736) than in 2012 (3,952,841).  From 2007 through 2010, the number of births declined steadily, then the pace of decline slowed from 2010 to 2012.
• The number of births rose less than 1% for non-Hispanic white and 1% for non- Hispanic black women between 2012 and 2013, and was essentially unchanged for Hispanic and American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) women. Births to Asian or Pacific Islander (API) women declined 2% in 2013.
• The 2013 preliminary general fertility rate (GFR) for the United States reached another record low, 62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44, down slightly (less than 1%) from 2012 (63.0).  The fertility rate has declined steadily since 2007, but the pace of decline has slowed from 2010 to 2013.
• The 2013 preliminary birth rate for teenagers was 26.6 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19, down 10% from 2012 (29.4) and another historic low for the nation.  Following a brief upturn in 2006 and 2007, the rate has declined 36% since 2007 (41.5) and 57% overall from 1991 (61.8), the most recent peak.