Weekly

November 30, 2012 / 61(47);978

The figure shows birth rates among women aged 15-44 years, by maternal age group, in the United States during 1961, 2007, and 2011. During 1961-2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged 15-44 years. During 2007-2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged <35 years, with rates for women aged 20-24 years (85.3 per 1,000 population) and those aged 15-19 years (31.3) reaching historic lows. The birth rate for women aged 25-29 years decreased 9% (to 107.2), and the rate for women aged 30-34 years decreased 6% (to 96.5). The birth rate for women aged 35-39 years was unchanged (47.2), and the rate for women aged 40-44 years increased 10% (to 10.3).

* Per 1,000 women in specified age group.

† U.S. residents only.

§ Data for 2011 are preliminary.

During 1961–2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged 15–44 years. During 2007–2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged <35 10.3="10.3" 107.2="107.2" 10="10" 15="15" 1="1" 20="20" 25="25" 30="30" 35="35" 40="40" 6="6" 96.5="96.5" 9="9" aged="aged" and="and" birth="birth" decreased="decreased" for="for" historic="historic" increased="increased" lows.="lows." p="p" per="per" population="population" rate="rate" rates="rates" reaching="reaching" the="the" those="those" to="to" unchanged="unchanged" was="was" with="with" women="women" years="years">

Sources: Hamilton BE, Martin JA, Ventura SJ. Births: Preliminary data for 2011. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2012;61(5).

Martin JA, Hamilton BE, Ventura SJ, Osterman MJK, Wilson EC, Mathews TJ. Births: final data for 2010. Natl Vital Stat Rep 2012;61(1).

National Center for Health Statistics. Vital statistics of the United States, 2003, volume I, natality. Hyattsville, MD: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Center for Health Statistics; 2005. Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/vsus.htm#natab2003.

Reported by: Stephanie J. Ventura, MA, sventura@cdc.gov, 301-458-4547; Brady E. Hamilton, PhD.

Alternate Text: The figure above shows birth rates among women aged 15-44 years, by maternal age group, in the United States during 1961, 2007, and 2011. During 1961-2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged 15-44 years. During 2007-2011, birth rates decreased for all women aged <35 10.3="10.3" 107.2="107.2" 10="10" 15-19="15-19" 1="1" 20-24="20-24" 25-29="25-29" 30-34="30-34" 35-39="35-39" 40-44="40-44" 6="6" 96.5="96.5" 9="9" aged="aged" and="and" birth="birth" decreased="decreased" for="for" historic="historic" increased="increased" lows.="lows." p="p" per="per" population="population" rate="rate" rates="rates" reaching="reaching" the="the" those="those" to="to" unchanged="unchanged" was="was" with="with" women="women" years="years">