In the United States, there is growing concern as more people decide not to have children, leading to the lowest fertility rate on record.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of births in the U.S. in 2023 is approximately 3,590,000, with a total fertility rate of 1.62, marking the lowest level since the 1930s.

This is a decrease from about 3,667,758 in 2022, indicating that the number of births, which had increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now returned to a declining trend.

Currently, the U.S. fertility rate is slightly higher than the OECD member country average of 1.51, and significantly higher compared to South Korea (0.72 as of 2023).

The decline in South Korea's fertility rate is attributed to various factors, including economic burdens, housing issues, and lack of support for child-rearing. In particular, in the fourth quarter of 2023, the total fertility rate is expected to drop to below 0.6 for the first time, raising further concerns.

The total fertility rate indicates the number of children a woman is expected to have in her lifetime, and it is generally considered that about 2.1 is needed to maintain a stable population.

The top 5 states with the highest birth rates in the U.S. are as follows:

South Dakota: As of 2019, the total fertility rate (TFR) is 2.08, exceeding the national average.

North Dakota: The total fertility rate in 2019 is 2.00, higher than the national average.

Utah: The total fertility rate in 2019 is 1.99, exceeding the national average.

Nebraska: The total fertility rate in 2019 is 1.97, higher than the national average.

Alaska: The total fertility rate in 2019 is 1.94, exceeding the national average.