US births fall to lowest number in 35 years; coronavirus may lower it even more

CDC data showed 5% decrease in birth rate amongst younger American women

The number of newborn babies in the US has dropped to the lowest level in 35 years, with experts estimating that Covid-19 could decrease numbers still.

The latest statistics were published on Wednesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and based on birth certificate issue numbers.

American births in 2019, said the CDC, dropped one per cent on the previous year.

About 3.7 million babies were born in 2019, whilst birth rates continued to fall for teenage mothers and for women in their 20s.

“This unpredictable environment, and anxiety about the future, is going to make women think twice about having children,” said Dr. Denise Jamieson, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Emory University.

The new data comes after a decades-long decline in the US birth rate dubbed the “baby bust”, in which newborns have decreased in number almost year-on-year since 2007.

It means that aside from a one-year increase in 2014, the US birthrate has continued to decline since the last major economic crash.

Some experts now believe that the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the economy will suppress the numbers further.

Family health expert Dr. John Santelli is among those who believe that low-paying and unstable work, combined with high rents and other factors, have caused couples to be more cautious about having children.

At the same time, the Columbia University professor suggests more limited access to abortion services and social-distancing could decrease the birth rate amongst certain groups.

Hans-Peter Kohler, a University of Pennsylvania fertility researcher, added that Covid-19's impact could be more long-term.

He told The Associated Press: “The decline due to COVID-19 might be different given the extent and severity of the crisis, and the long-lasting uncertainty that is caused by it”.

Brady Hamilton, the leading author of the CDC report, added on Wednesday that it was unclear what will happen to births this year due to the pandemic.

Still, the after-effects of Covid-19 will not be seen on maternity wards until late this year or in 2021, he said.