Objective:This report presents data on trends in gestational hypertension (hypertension diagnosed during pregnancy) among mothers giving birth in the United States from 2016 through 2024, as well as rates by selected maternal and infant characteristics for 2016 and 2024. Methods:Data are from birth certificates and are based on 100% of births registered in the United States for 2016 through 2024. Descriptive tabulations on trends in gestational hypertension rates from 2016 through 2024 and rates by maternal race and Hispanic origin, age, body mass index, state of residence, and plurality for 2016 and 2024 are presented. Results:Among mothers giving birth in 2024, the overall rate of gestational hypertension was 10.4%, an increase of 73% from 2016 (6.0%). In 2024, the rate of gestational hypertension varied by maternal race and Hispanic origin, ranging from a low of 7.1% for Asian non-Hispanic mothers to a high of 13.2% for American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic mothers. By age, the rate was lowest for mothers younger than age 20 and 30-34 and highest for mothers 40 and older. The rate of gestational hypertension rose with increasing prepregnancy body mass index. By plurality, the rate of gestational hypertension was nearly 2 times higher for mothers with a twin or higher-order multiple birth than mothers with a singleton birth. By state, the rate of gestational hypertension was lower than 9.0% in nine states (New Jersey, California, Massachusetts, Utah, Nevada, New York, Idaho, Tennessee, and New Mexico) and the District of Columbia and was 13.0% or more in eight states (Minnesota, Oregon, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Ohio, Alabama, Alaska, and Louisiana).
Objectives:This report presents 2024 data on U.S. births by selected characteristics. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described. Methods:Descriptive tabulations based on birth certificates of the 3.63 million births registered in 2024 are shown for various maternal demographic and health characteristics; medical and healthcare utilization, including source of payment for the delivery; and infant health characteristics. Selected data by mother's state of residence and birth rates also are shown. Trends for 2010 to 2024 are presented for selected items and by race and Hispanic origin for 2016-2024. Results:A total of 3,628,934 births occurred in the United States in 2024, an increase of 1% from the record low reported for 2023. The general fertility rate declined 1% from 2023 to 53.8 births per 1,000 females ages 15-44 in 2024. Birth rates declined for females ages 15-34 from 2023 to 2024, rose for women ages 40-44, and were unchanged for females ages 10-14 and women ages 35-39 and 45-49. The total fertility rate declined 1% to 1,599.5 births per 1,000 women in 2024, a record low. Birth rates declined for both unmarried and married women from 2023 to 2024. Prenatal care beginning in the first trimester declined to 75.5% in 2024. The percentage of women who smoked during pregnancy declined to 2.4%. The cesarean delivery rate increased by less than 1% to 32.4%. Private insurance as the source of payment for the delivery increased to 51.8% of births, while Medicaid deliveries declined to 40.2%. The preterm birth rate (10.41%) was unchanged from 2023; low birthweight births declined 1% (8.52%). The twin birth rate declined 2% in 2024 to 30.1 per 1,000 births; the triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate was 71.3 per 100,000 births compared with 73.8 for 2023.
Objective:This report identifies the specific drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States from 2017 through 2023. Methods:Data from the 2017-2023 National Vital Statistics System mortality files were linked to literal text data from death certificates. Drug overdose deaths were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision underlying cause-of-death codes X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, and Y10-Y14. Specific drugs were identified by searching three literal text fields of the death certificate: the causes of death from Part I, significant conditions contributing to death from Part II, and the description of how the injury occurred. Contextual information was used to determine drug involvement in the death. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the most frequently mentioned drugs involved in drug overdose deaths. Deaths involving multiple drugs were counted in all relevant drug categories. Results:Among drug overdose deaths with mention of at least one specific drug, the most frequently mentioned drugs during 2017-2023 included: fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, morphine, methadone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diphenhydramine, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, gabapentin, and xylazine. Fentanyl ranked first across all years and was the most common concomitant drug found with other top drugs, ranging from 99.0% of xylazine-involved drug overdose deaths to 48.3% of oxycodone-involved drug overdose deaths. Cocaine and methamphetamine were also frequent concomitant drugs. Trends in age-adjusted rates across the 2017 to 2023 period varied by drug, but notably the rate for heroin-involved deaths sharply declined, while the rate for fentanyl-involved deaths increased and then stabilized between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, the most frequently mentioned drugs in unintentional drug overdose deaths were fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, while the most frequently mentioned drugs for suicide-related drug overdoses were diphenhydramine, oxycodone, and bupropion. Conclusions:This report identifies patterns in the specific drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths from 2017 through 2023.
Objectives:This report presents complete period life tables for the United States by Hispanic origin and race and sex, based on age-specific death rates in 2023. Methods:Data used to prepare the 2023 life tables are 2023 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2023, population estimates based on the blended base population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau; and 2023 Medicare data for people ages 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the life tables for the Hispanic population remains unchanged from that developed for the publication of life tables by Hispanic origin for data year 2006. The same methodology is used to estimate the life tables for the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic and Asian non-Hispanic populations. The methodology used to estimate the 2023 life tables for all other groups was first implemented with data year 2008. Results:In 2023, the overall expectation of life at birth was 78.4 years, increasing 0.9 year from 77.5 years in 2022. Between 2022 and 2023, life expectancy at birth increased by 1.0 year for males (from 74.8 to 75.8) and by 0.9 year for females (80.2 to 81.1). Between 2022 and 2023, life expectancy increased by 2.3 years for the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic population (67.8 to 70.1), by 1.3 years for the Hispanic population (80.0 to 81.3), by 1.2 years for the Black non-Hispanic population (72.8 to 74.0), by 0.9 year or the White non-Hispanic population (77.5 to 78.4), and by 0.8 year for the Asian non-Hispanic population (84.4 to 85.2).
Objectives:This report presents complete period life tables for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) by sex based on age-specific death rates in 2022. Methods:Data used to prepare the 2022 state-specific life tables include: 2022 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2022, population estimates based on the Blended Base population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau; and 2022 Medicare data for people ages 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the state-specific life tables is the same as that used to estimate the 2022 national life tables, with some modifications. Results:Among the 50 states and D.C., Hawaii had the highest life expectancy at birth, 80.0 years in 2022, and West Virginia had the lowest, 72.2 years. From 2021 to 2022, life expectancy increased for 48 states and D.C. and decreased for 2 states. In 2022, life expectancy at age 65 ranged from 16.6 years in West Virginia to 20.5 years in Hawaii. Life expectancy at birth was higher for females in all states and D.C. The difference in life expectancy between females and males ranged from 3.6 years in Utah to 6.9 years in New Mexico.
Objectives:This report presents final 2023 data on the 10 leading causes of death in the United States by age group, race and Hispanic origin, and sex. Leading causes of infant, neonatal, and postneonatal death are also presented. This report supplements "Deaths: Final Data for 2023," the National Center for Health Statistics' annual report of final mortality statistics. Methods:Data in this report are based on information from all death certificates filed in the 50 states and the District of Columbia in 2023. Causes of death classified by the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision are ranked according to the number of deaths. Cause-of-death statistics are based on the underlying cause of death. Results:In 2023, the ranked order of 7 of the 10 leading causes of death changed from 2022. The 10 leading causes of death in 2023 in ranked order were: Diseases of heart; Malignant neoplasms; Accidents (unintentional injuries); Cerebrovascular diseases; Chronic lower respiratory diseases; Alzheimer disease; Diabetes mellitus; Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis; Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis; and COVID-19. These causes accounted for 70.9% of all deaths occurring in the United States. Rankings are presented by age, race, Hispanic origin, and sex. The 10 leading causes of infant death for 2023 in ranked order were: Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities; Disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified; Sudden infant death syndrome; Accidents (unintentional injuries); Newborn affected by maternal complications of pregnancy; Bacterial sepsis of newborn; Newborn affected by complications of placenta, cord and membranes; Respiratory distress of newborn; Intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia; and Diseases of the circulatory system.
Objectives:This report presents and compares trends in U.S. births and deaths from 2010 through 2023. Births and deaths are shown by race and Hispanic origin and urbanicity of county of residence. Methods:Descriptive tabulations of trends in the numbers, rates, and ratios of births and deaths for the United States from 2010 through 2023 are presented and interpreted. Results:From 2010 through 2023, the number of births for the United States declined by a total of 10%. Births were essentially stable from 2010 through 2016, declined from 2016 through 2019, and then fluctuated from 2019 through 2023. In contrast, the number of deaths generally increased from 2010 through 2023, by a total of 25%. Deaths increased from 2010 through 2019 and fluctuated from 2019 through 2023. The crude birth rate decreased 18% from 2010 through 2023, declining 0.8% per year from 2010 through 2015 and 2.0% per year from 2015 through 2019; the rate then fluctuated from 2019 through 2023. In contrast, the crude death rate increased 15% from 2010 through 2023, rising 1.0% on average from 2010 through 2019, and then fluctuating from 2019 through 2023. The birth-to-death ratio declined from 2010 through 2023, by a total of 28%, with the ratio decreasing 1.6% per year from 2010 through 2014 and 2.8% per year from 2014 through 2019; the ratio then fluctuated from 2019 through 2023. The ratio generally declined for the three largest race and Hispanic-origin groups from 2010 through 2023, fluctuating but increasing from 2019 through 2023. The differences in the ratios among the groups narrowed from 2010 through 2023. The birth-to-death ratio declined for both urban and rural counties from 2010 through 2023, with differences between ratios narrowing.
Objectives:This report presents final 2023 infant mortality statistics by age at death, maternal race and Hispanic origin, maternal age, gestational age, leading causes of death, and maternal state of residence. Trends in infant mortality are also examined. Methods:Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted for infant deaths and infant mortality rates using the 2023 period linked birth/infant death file. The linked birth/infant death file is based on birth and death certificates registered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Results:A total of 20,162 infant deaths were reported in the United States in 2023, down 2% from 2022. The U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.61 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, unchanged from the rate in 2022. Changes in the neonatal mortality rate from 3.59 in 2022 to 3.65 in 2023, and in the postneonatal mortality rate from 2.02 to 1.96, were not significant. Changes in mortality rates for infants by maternal race and Hispanic-origin group were not significant; among Hispanic-origin subgroups, rates increased for infants of Mexican women in 2023 compared with 2022. Infants of Black non-Hispanic women had the highest mortality rate (10.93) in 2023, followed by infants of American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic (9.20) and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander non-Hispanic (8.21), Hispanic (5.03), White non-Hispanic (4.48), and Asian non-Hispanic (3.44) women. The mortality rate decreased from 2022 to 2023 for infants born at 41 weeks of gestation (1.73 to 1.46) but were essentially unchanged for other gestational age categories. The five leading causes of infant death in 2023 were the same as in 2022. Infant mortality rates by state for 2023 ranged from a low of 2.93 in New Hampshire to a high of 8.94 in Mississippi.
Objectives:This report presents recent trends in the mean (average) age of mothers when they gave birth in the United States from 2016 to 2023. It updates previous analyses by examining trends in mean maternal age by birth order and presents trends and differences in mean age at first birth across race and Hispanic origin and urbanicity. Methods:Data are from the National Vital Statistics System, comprising all birth records in the United States for 2016-2023. Mean maternal age was calculated for first, second, and third and higher-order births (the number of live births born to a woman during her lifetime). Trends over time and differences by mother's race and Hispanic origin and urbanicity are described. Results:The mean age of mothers at first birth increased 0.9 year, from 26.6 in 2016 to 27.5 in 2023. Similar increases were observed for higher-order births, with mean age at birth rising by 1.0 year for second births and 0.9 year for third and higher-order births. All racial and ethnic groups saw an increase in mean age at first birth of 0.4-1.4 years. Mean maternal age at first birth rose across all levels of urbanicity, from large metropolitan counties to rural counties, by 0.7-0.9 year. In 2023, mothers in large metropolitan counties had the highest mean age at first birth (28.5), while those in noncore counties had the lowest (24.8).
Background and Objectives:Beginning with the 2023 data year, the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) will use a different, expanded measure of perinatal mortality for standard publications. This measure, Definition III, includes fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more and infant deaths younger than 7 days. Definition III replaces Definition I (fetal deaths at 28 weeks of gestation or more and infant deaths younger than 7 days), which has been used in NCHS reports since the 1980s. This change is being made due to the implementation of national reporting of all fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more as of 2014, allowing for the use of Definition III, which more fully represents the perinatal events most likely to be affected by similar factors. This report describes the reason for this change and compares trends in perinatal mortality rates based on Definition I and Definition III from 2014 to 2022 and differences in the two measures by maternal race and Hispanic origin, age, and state of residence for 2022. Methods:Data for perinatal mortality are derived from NCHS's National Vital Statistics System's fetal death, birth, and period linked birth/infant death files. Perinatal mortality rates for Definition III are compared with those for Definition I. Results:In 2022, Definition III comprised 91.4% of perinatal deaths (fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more and infant deaths younger than 28 days) compared with 60.7% of perinatal deaths captured by Definition I. The perinatal mortality rate for Definition III was about 50% higher than that for Definition I (8.27 and 5.51, respectively, in 2022). Trends in perinatal mortality were similar for both measures during 2014-2022; rates were stable from 2014 through 2016 and then declined from 2016 through 2022. For 2022, patterns by maternal race and Hispanic origin and age were also similar, but more variation in patterns was observed by state.
Objectives:This report presents complete period life tables for the United States by Hispanic origin and race and sex, based on age-specific death rates in 2022. Methods:Data used to prepare the 2022 life tables are 2022 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2022, population estimates based on the Blended Base population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau; and 2022 Medicare data for people ages 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the life tables for the Hispanic population remains unchanged from that developed for the publication of life tables by Hispanic origin for data year 2006. The same methodology is used to estimate the life tables for the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic and Asian non-Hispanic populations. The methodology used to estimate the 2022 life tables for all other groups was first implemented with data year 2008. Results:In 2022, the overall expectation of life at birth was 77.5 years, increasing 1.1 years from 76.4 in 2021. Between 2021 and 2022, life expectancy at birth increased by 1.3 year for males (from 73.5 to 74.8) and by 0.9 year for females (79.3 to 80.2). Between 2021 and 2022, life expectancy increased 2.2 years for the Hispanic (77.8 to 80.0) and the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic (65.6 to 67.8) populations. Life expectancy increased by 1.6 years for the Black non-Hispanic population (71.2 to 72.8), by 0.9 year for the Asian non-Hispanic population (83.5 to 84.4), and by 0.8 year for the White non-Hispanic population (76.7 to 77.5).
Objectives:This report examines the role of age-specific trends in fertility rates in the decline in the number of births and of general fertility rates (GFRs) and total fertility rates (TFRs). Methods:Data are from the National Center for Health Statistics' National Vital Statistics System birth data files from 1990 through 2023. To estimate the role of changes in age-specific fertility rates on total births, GFRs, and TFRs from 1990 through 2023, 1990 rates for each maternal age category were kept constant and applied to all subsequent years to produce adjusted totals and rates. Results:The actual number of U.S. births declined 14% from 1990 to 2023, the GFR declined 23%, and the TFR declined 22%. Due to declines in birth rates among females younger than age 30, holding their 1990 birth rates constant resulted in higher adjusted GFRs, TFRs, and number of births in 2023 than the actual rates and numbers. Due to increases in birth rates to women age 30 and older, holding their 1990 birth rates constant would have led to lower adjusted GFRs, TFRs, and number of births in 2023 than the actual rates and numbers. The magnitude of the decrease in birth rates among females younger than 30 was greater than the magnitude of the increase in rates among women 30 and older, resulting in declining overall fertility rates. These age-specific changes in birth rates resulted in changing maternal age distributions-in 1990, females younger than 30 accounted for 7 in 10 births (69.8%), while in 2023, they accounted for less than 1 in 2 (48.6%). Summary:The decline in fertility rates over the past few decades results from declining rates among females younger than 30 coupled with smaller increases in rates among older women.
Objectives:This report presents 2023 data on U.S. births by selected characteristics. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described. Methods:Descriptive tabulations based on birth certificates of the 3.60 million births registered in 2023 are shown for various maternal demographic and health characteristics; medical and healthcare utilization, including source of payment for the delivery; and infant health characteristics. Selected data by mother's state of residence and birth rates also are shown. Trends for 2010 to 2023 are presented for selected items, and by race and Hispanic origin for 2016-2023. Results:A total of 3,596,017 births occurred in the United States in 2023, down 2% from 2022. The general fertility rate declined 3% from 2022 to 54.5 births per 1,000 females ages 15-44 in 2023. The birth rate for females ages 15-19 declined 4% from 2022 to 2023; birth rates rose less than 1% for women ages 20-24, fell 1% to 3% for women ages 25-44, and were unchanged for females ages 10-14 and women ages 45-49. The total fertility rate declined 2% to 1,621.0 births per 1,000 women in 2023. Birth rates declined for both unmarried and married women from 2022 to 2023. Prenatal care beginning in the first trimester declined to 76.1% in 2023; the percentage of women who smoked during pregnancy declined to 3.0%. The cesarean delivery rate increased 1% in 2023 to 32.3%; Medicaid was the source of payment for 41.5% of births, an increase from 2022 (41.3%). The preterm birth rate (10.41%) and the low birthweight rate for 2023 (8.58%) were essentially unchanged from 2022. The twin birth rate declined 2% in 2023 to 30.7 per 1,000 births; the triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate decreased 6% to 73.8 per 100,000 births.
Objectives:This report presents final 2021 data on U.S. deaths, death rates, life expectancy, infant and maternal mortality, and trends by selected characteristics such as age, sex, Hispanic origin and race, state of residence, and cause of death. Methods:Information reported on death certificates is presented in descriptive tabulations. The original records are filed in state registration offices. Statistical information is compiled in a national database through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program of the National Center for Health Statistics. Causes of death are processed according to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision . Beginning in 2018, all states and the District of Columbia were using the 2003 revised certificate of death for the entire year, which includes the 1997 Office of Management and Budget revised standards for race. Data based on these revised standards are not completely comparable to previous years. Results:In 2021, a total of 3,464,231 deaths were reported in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate was 879.7 deaths per 100,000 U.S. standard population, an increase of 5.3% from the 2020 rate. Life expectancy at birth was 76.4 years, a decrease of 0.6 year from 2020. Age-specific death rates increased from 2020 to 2021 for every age group. In 2021, 9 of the 10 leading causes of death remained the same as in 2020. Heart disease remained the top leading cause, followed by cancer and COVID-19. The infant mortality rate of 5.44 infant deaths per 1,000 live births in 2021 did not change significantly from the rate in 2020 (5.42). Conclusions:In 2021, the age-adjusted death rate increased and life expectancy at birth decreased for the total, male, and female populations, primarily due to the influence of deaths from COVID-19.
This report provides health data from the National Center for Health Statistics.
Objectives:This report presents 2022 fetal mortality data by maternal race and Hispanic origin, age, tobacco use during pregnancy, and state of residence, as well as by plurality, sex, gestational age, birthweight, and selected causes of death. Trends in fetal mortality are also examined. Methods:Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted for all fetal deaths reported for the United States for 2022 with a stated or presumed period of gestation of 20 weeks or more. Cause-of-fetal-death data only are restricted to residents of the 43 states and District of Columbia where cause of death was based on the 2003 fetal death report revision and less than 50% of deaths were attributed to Fetal death of unspecified cause (P95). Results:A total of 20,202 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more were reported in the United States in 2022. The 2022 U.S. fetal mortality rate was 5.48 fetal deaths at 20 weeks of gestation or more per 1,000 live births and fetal deaths, 4% lower than in 2021 (5.73) and a new historic low for the United States. The fetal mortality rate in 2022 for deaths occurring at 20-27 weeks of gestation was 2.79, a 5% decline from 2021 (2.95). For deaths occurring at 28 weeks of gestation or more, the rate in 2022 was 2.71, a 3% decline from 2021 (2.80). In 2022, the fetal mortality rate was highest for Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander non-Hispanic (10.36) and Black non-Hispanic (10.05) females and lowest for Asian non-Hispanic females (3.70). Fetal mortality rates were highest for women ages 40 and older, for women who smoked during pregnancy, and for women with multiple gestation pregnancies. Five selected causes accounted for 90.0% of fetal deaths in the 43-state and District of Columbia reporting area.
Objectives:This report presents final 2022 infant mortality statistics by age at death, maternal race and Hispanic origin, maternal age, gestational age, leading causes of death, and maternal state of residence. Trends in infant mortality are also examined. Methods:Descriptive tabulations of data are presented and interpreted for infant deaths and infant mortality rates using the 2022 period linked birth/infant death file. The linked birth/infant death file is based on birth and death certificates registered in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Results:A total of 20,577 infant deaths were reported in the United States in 2022, up 3% from 2021. The U.S. infant mortality rate was 5.61 infant deaths per 1,000 live births, a 3% increase from the rate of 5.44 in 2021. The neonatal mortality rate increased 3% from 3.49 in 2021 to 3.59 in 2022, and the postneonatal mortality rate increased 4% from 1.95 to 2.02. The overall infant mortality rate increased for infants of American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic, White non-Hispanic, and Dominican women in 2022 compared with 2021; changes in rates for the other race and Hispanic-origin groups were not significant. Infants of Black non-Hispanic women had the highest mortality rate (10.90) in 2022, followed by infants of American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander non-Hispanic (9.06 and 8.50, respectively), Hispanic (4.89), White non-Hispanic (4.52), and Asian non-Hispanic (3.51) women. Mortality rates increased from 2021 to 2022 among preterm (less than 37 weeks of gestation) infants (33.59 to 34.78) and for infants born term (37 to 41 weeks of gestation) (2.08 to 2.18). The five leading causes of infant death in 2022 were the same as in 2021. Infant mortality rates by state for 2022 ranged from a low of 3.32 in Massachusetts to a high of 9.11 in Mississippi.
Objectives:This study examines trends in the numbers, percentages, and rates of first and second and higher-order births to teenagers younger than age 20 and for those ages 15-17 and 18-19 by race and Hispanic origin. Methods:Data for this analysis are from the National Vital Statistics System birth data files from 2000 and 2022. Analyses are limited to births to females younger than age 20. Changes in the numbers, percentages, and rates of total, first, and second and higher-order teen births from 2000 to 2022 were calculated for all teenagers and for non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic teenagers. Results:The number of first teen births declined 67% and the number of second and higher-order teen births declined 79%, while the population of female teenagers increased 7% from 2000 to 2022. The declines were greater for younger teenagers compared with older teenagers. First and second and higher-order teen birth rates declined 69% and 80%, respectively. Similar declines were found for each race and Hispanic-origin group. In 2000 and 2022, first and second and higher-order birth rates were lowest among White teenagers. First birth rates were highest among Hispanic teenagers in 2000 and for Hispanic and non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native teenagers in 2022. In 2000, second and higher-order birth rates were highest for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic teenagers; second and higher-order birth rates were more similar by race and Hispanic-origin group in 2022.
Objectives- This report presents 2022 data on U.S. births by selected characteristics. Trends in fertility patterns and maternal and infant characteristics are described. Methods-Descriptive tabulations based on birth certificates of the 3.67 million births registered in 2022 are shown by maternal age, live-birth order, race and Hispanic origin, marital status, tobacco use, prenatal care, source of payment for the delivery, method of delivery, gestational age, birthweight, and plurality. Selected data by mother's state of residence and birth rates also are shown. Trends for 2010 to 2022 are presented for selected items, and by race and Hispanic origin for 2016-2022. Results-A total of 3,667,758 births occurred in the United States in 2022, essentially unchanged from 2021. The general fertility rate declined 1% from 2021 to 56.0 births per 1,000 females ages 15-44 in 2022. The birth rate for females ages 15-19 declined 2% from 2021 to 2022; birth rates fell 7% for women ages 20-24, rose 1% to 5% for women ages 25-29 and 35-44, and rose 12% for women ages 45-49 (the first increase since 2016). The total fertility rate declined less than 1% to 1,656.5 births per 1,000 women in 2022. Birth rates declined for unmarried women but increased for married women from 2021 to 2022. Prenatal care beginning in the first trimester declined to 77.0% in 2022; the percentage of women who smoked during pregnancy declined to 3.7%. The cesarean delivery rate was unchanged in 2022 (32.1%); Medicaid was the source of payment for 41.3% of births. The preterm birth rate declined 1% to 10.38%; the low birthweight rate rose 1% to 8.60%. The twin birth rate was unchanged in 2022 (31.2 per 1,000 births); the 2% decrease in the triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate.
