Fertility remains low in the U.S., with the CDC noting in an April 7 snapshot that Americans are delaying or forgoing having children. Births decreased 1% last year to about 3.6 million as younger adults prioritize education and careers over childbirth. The report notes that the birth rate has been declining for years, an indication it could be settling into a relatively lower level for the foreseeable future. The general fertility rate last year was 53.1 births per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44, a 23% decrease since 2007.
