The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has released a report detailing the birth data for 2014 in the United States.
This report encompasses various characteristics such as maternal age, live birth order, race and Hispanic origin, marital status, birth attendant, method of delivery, period of gestation, birth weight, and plurality.
You can check out the full report here.
Overview of Birth and Fertility Rates
In 2014, a total of 3,988,076 births were recorded in the United States, marking a 1% increase from the previous year. The general fertility rate experienced a slight rise, reaching 62.9 births per 1,000 women aged 15–44, indicating the first uptick in fertility since 2007.
Maternal Age and Birth Rates
- Teen Birth Rate: There was a significant decrease in the teen birth rate, falling 9% from 2013 to 24.2 births per 1,000 females aged 15–19.
- Women in Early 20s: Birth rates for women in their early 20s saw a decline.
- Women Aged 25–39: In contrast, birth rates increased for women aged 25 to 39 years.
Total Fertility Rate
The total fertility rate, which estimates the number of births a woman would have over her lifetime, saw a slight increase, rising to 1,862.5 births per 1,000 women.
Marital Status and Birth Rates
The birth rate for unmarried women continued its downward trend, declining for the sixth consecutive year.
Method of Delivery
The cesarean delivery rate experienced a decline, dropping to 32.2%.
Preterm Birth and Low Birthweight
- Preterm Birth Rate: The preterm birth rate declined by 1%, reaching 9.57%.
- Low Birth weight Rate: The rate of low birth weight remained relatively stable at 8%.
Multiple Birth Rates
- Twin Birth Rate: The twin birth rate reached a new high of 33.9 per 1,000 births.
- Triplet and Higher-Order Multiple Birth Rate: This rate decreased by 5%, falling to 113.5 per 100,000 total births.
Conclusion
The 2014 data on U.S. births presents a nuanced picture of birth and fertility trends across various demographics. The slight increase in overall birth numbers, changes in birth rates across different age groups, and the continued decline in the teen birth rate reflect ongoing demographic shifts.
The report’s detailed breakdown by maternal age, race, marital status, and other factors provides valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers focusing on maternal and child health.
