For the first time in the United States, the number of births to women aged 40 and over has surpassed those to teenagers. This shift reflects a significant decline in teen birth rates alongside an increase in births among older women.
According to the National Center for Health Statistics, in 2023, women aged 40 and above accounted for 4.1% of all births, while teenagers accounted for 4.0%.
This trend is attributed to various factors, including advancements in fertility treatments, greater financial stability, and evolving societal norms that support delayed parenthood.
Conversely, the decline in teen births is linked to improved access to contraception and comprehensive sex education.
