American Birth Rate by Race 2025 | Statistics & Facts

Birth Rate by Race in America 2025

The American birth landscape continues to evolve with significant demographic shifts reshaping the nation’s future. Understanding birth rates across different racial and ethnic groups provides crucial insights into population trends, healthcare needs, and socioeconomic patterns that define modern America. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals both encouraging progress and persistent disparities that warrant attention from policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities nationwide.

Birth rate patterns by race reflect broader societal changes including delayed childbearing, improved access to family planning, economic factors, and cultural shifts in family formation. These trends have profound implications for everything from school enrollment projections to workforce planning and social services allocation. The data presented here comes directly from the National Center for Health Statistics, the federal government’s principal vital statistics agency, ensuring accuracy and reliability for researchers, policymakers, and anyone seeking to understand America’s changing demographic landscape.

Key Stats & Facts About Birth Rates by Race in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Vital Statistics Rapid Release Report No. 38, April 2025

The provisional birth data for 2024 demonstrates that America experienced a modest uptick in total births after years of general decline, though patterns vary significantly across racial and ethnic groups. The 3,622,673 births recorded in 2024 represent the culmination of complex demographic, economic, and social forces affecting family formation decisions. Hispanic communities showed the strongest growth with 982,253 births, continuing to represent a substantial portion of American births and driving much of the national increase. Meanwhile, the fertility rate of 54.6 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44 indicates that American women are having fewer children than in previous generations, a trend consistent across developed nations worldwide.

Birth rate disparities across racial groups reflect multiple factors including median age differences, cultural attitudes toward family size, economic circumstances, access to reproductive healthcare, and geographic distribution patterns. Hispanic women maintained the highest fertility rate at 66.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44, significantly above the national average, while American Indian and Alaska Native women recorded the lowest at 46.6 births per 1,000 women. These variations underscore the importance of culturally competent healthcare services and targeted public health interventions that address the unique needs of diverse communities. The continued decline in teen birth rates to 12.7 per 1,000 females ages 15-19 represents a public health success story, with rates declining 69% since 2007, though disparities persist across racial groups requiring ongoing attention and resources.

Birth Rate Distribution by Race in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Data for 2024, Table 2

The distribution of births across racial and ethnic categories reveals the increasingly diverse nature of America’s youngest generation. White non-Hispanic births, while still comprising the largest single group at 1,780,377 births or 49.1% of all births, have declined as a percentage of total births over recent decades. This demographic shift reflects both changing immigration patterns and differential birth rates across groups. The 982,253 Hispanic births in 2024 account for more than one in four American babies, highlighting the growing influence of Latino communities on American culture, economy, and society. This group’s 4% increase from 2023 stands in contrast to the 4% decrease among Black mothers and represents the strongest growth among major racial categories.

Asian American births showed robust growth with a 5% increase to 226,744 births in 2024, reflecting both immigration patterns and the growing Asian American population base. The fertility rate of 49.4 births per 1,000 women ages 15-44 indicates that Asian American women tend to have smaller families and delay childbearing compared to other groups, consistent with higher educational attainment and later age at first birth in this population. Black births numbering 472,756 with a fertility rate of 51.4 per 1,000 women showed a 4% decline from 2023, continuing a trend observed in recent years that researchers attribute to economic factors, increased educational opportunities, and evolving family formation patterns within Black communities.

Total Fertility Rate by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2023 and Provisional Data for 2024

The total fertility rate measures the expected number of births a hypothetical group of 1,000 women would have over their lifetimes based on current age-specific birth rates, providing a standardized metric that accounts for age structure differences across populations. The replacement level fertility rate of 2,100 births per 1,000 women represents the level needed for a generation to exactly replace itself without immigration. Remarkably, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander women represent the only racial group exceeding replacement level at 2,218.0 births per 1,000 women, though this group comprises a small percentage of total births. This elevated rate reflects cultural factors, younger average age, and community values that often emphasize larger families.

Hispanic women’s total fertility rate of 1,948.5 remains well above other major groups despite being below replacement level, representing an increase from 1,910.0 in 2023. This 2% rise contrasts sharply with declines observed in most other racial categories and helps explain why Hispanic births increased while other groups declined. The rate reflects both cultural factors that historically valued larger families and the relatively younger age structure of the Hispanic population. White non-Hispanic women recorded a total fertility rate of 1,529.5, representing a 2% decline from 2023’s 1,563.5, continuing a long-term trend toward smaller families that has characterized this population for decades. Black women’s fertility rate fell 4% to 1,515.5, while Asian women saw a 3% decline to 1,457.0, the lowest among major racial groups.

Birth Rates by Maternal Age and Race in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Data for 2024, Births: Final Data for 2023

Birth rates across maternal age groups reveal striking patterns about when women from different racial backgrounds are choosing to have children, reflecting educational attainment, economic circumstances, cultural norms, and access to family planning resources. The teen birth rate of 12.7 per 1,000 females ages 15-19 represents a historic low, declining 3% from 2023 and down 79% since the 1991 peak. However, significant racial disparities persist with Black teens experiencing rates of 18.5 and Hispanic teens 17.8, both more than double the White non-Hispanic teen rate of 8.3. Asian American teens have the lowest rate at just 2.2 per 1,000, reflecting cultural emphasis on educational achievement and delayed childbearing.

Women in their early thirties now have the highest birth rates across all age groups at 95.4 per 1,000 for ages 30-34, marking the eighth consecutive year this group has exceeded the 25-29 age bracket. This represents a fundamental shift from previous generations when women in their twenties dominated childbearing. Asian American women particularly exemplify this pattern with a rate of 105.0 for ages 30-34, their peak childbearing years, compared to just 71.1 for ages 25-29. White non-Hispanic women show similar patterns with a rate of 100.1 in their early thirties. In contrast, Hispanic women peak slightly earlier with the highest rate of 101.1 occurring in the 25-29 age group, though their rate of 95.5 for ages 30-34 remains substantial.

Preterm Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Data for 2024, Table 3

Preterm birth rates represent one of the most concerning health disparities affecting American mothers and babies, with profound implications for infant mortality, developmental outcomes, and healthcare costs. The overall preterm birth rate of 10.41% in 2024 means that more than one in ten American babies are born before 37 completed weeks of gestation, unchanged from 2023 but elevated compared to the 2014 low point of 9.57%. Black mothers face dramatically elevated risks with a preterm birth rate of 14.86%, representing a 1% increase from 2023 and nearly 62% higher than the rate for White mothers at 9.49%. This disparity has persisted for decades and reflects complex interactions between genetic factors, chronic stress, socioeconomic disadvantages, and systemic barriers to quality prenatal care.

Early preterm births occurring before 34 weeks gestation pose the greatest risks for serious complications including respiratory distress, feeding difficulties, and long-term developmental challenges. Black mothers experience early preterm birth at a rate of 4.84%, more than double the 2.26% rate for White mothers and 2.30% for Asian mothers. American Indian and Alaska Native mothers face preterm rates of 12.59%, while Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander mothers experience rates of 12.50%, both substantially elevated above the national average. Hispanic mothers’ preterm rate of 10.07% approximates the national average, while Asian mothers have the lowest rate at 9.16%, though even this represents nearly one in eleven births occurring prematurely.

Cesarean Delivery Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Data for 2024, Table 3

Cesarean delivery rates provide important insights into childbirth practices, maternal health, and potential disparities in obstetric care across racial groups. The overall cesarean rate of 32.4% in 2024 means nearly one in three American babies are delivered surgically rather than vaginally, representing a slight increase from 2023’s 32.3% and the highest rate since 2013. Black mothers experience the highest cesarean rate at 37.5%, a significant increase from 2023’s 37.0%, meaning more than one in three Black mothers undergo cesarean delivery. This elevated rate persists even after accounting for medical risk factors, suggesting potential biases in clinical decision-making or differences in the quality of prenatal care that warrant further investigation and intervention.

The low-risk cesarean delivery rate measures cesarean births among women having their first baby (nulliparous), carrying a single fetus (singleton), with the baby in head-first position (vertex), and delivering at 37 weeks or later (term)—circumstances where vaginal delivery is typically safest and most appropriate. The national low-risk cesarean rate of 26.6% remained unchanged from 2023, though this represents the highest level since 2013’s 26.8%. Black mothers experienced a notable increase in low-risk cesareans from 30.8% to 31.5%, meaning nearly one in three Black first-time mothers with otherwise low-risk pregnancies undergo cesarean delivery, substantially higher than the 25.5% rate for White mothers. This disparity has important implications for future pregnancies, as cesarean delivery increases risks for subsequent pregnancies and may limit reproductive choices.

Birth Rates for Unmarried Women by Race in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2023, Tables 9-10

Births to unmarried women represent an important demographic indicator reflecting changing family structures, economic circumstances, and social norms around marriage and childbearing. The overall percentage of 40.0% of births to unmarried women in 2023 means that two in five American babies are born to mothers who are not married, a slight increase from 2022’s 39.8% but down from the 2009 peak of 41.0%. However, these aggregate statistics mask dramatic disparities across racial and ethnic groups. Nearly seven in ten Black babies (69.3%) are born to unmarried mothers, as are 68.7% of American Indian and Alaska Native babies, rates that have significant implications for child poverty, single-parent household challenges, and access to economic resources.

Hispanic mothers show nonmarital birth rates of 54.2%, meaning more than half of Hispanic babies are born to unmarried mothers, with the percentage increasing slightly from 2022. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander mothers have nonmarital birth rates of 52.75%, also representing more than half of births. In contrast, White non-Hispanic mothers have a nonmarital birth rate of 26.8%, approximately one in four births, while Asian mothers have the lowest rate at just 12.0%, meaning about one in eight births. These disparities reflect complex interactions between economic opportunity, educational attainment, cultural attitudes toward marriage, access to family planning, and structural factors affecting relationship stability and marriage decisions.

Mean Age at First Birth by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2023, Tables 11-12

The mean age at first birth represents the arithmetic average age when women have their first baby, providing crucial insights into delayed childbearing patterns that have profound implications for fertility, maternal health, career trajectories, and family formation. The national average of 27.5 years in 2023 represents another record high, continuing a decades-long trend toward older maternal age at first birth that reflects women’s increased educational attainment, career development, economic considerations, and access to effective contraception. This 0.1 year increase from 2022’s 27.4 years may seem modest but represents a significant shift from the 1970s when the average first-time mother was in her early twenties.

Asian American women have the highest mean age at first birth at 31.5 years, reflecting this population’s exceptionally high rates of college and graduate education, professional career development, and cultural patterns that prioritize educational and economic stability before childbearing. White non-Hispanic women average 28.3 years at first birth, also reflecting high educational attainment and career establishment priorities. Black women’s mean age of 25.9 years increased from 2022, showing this population is also delaying first births, likely reflecting improved educational opportunities and economic considerations. Hispanic women show more variation with Mexican-origin women averaging 25.2 years and Puerto Rican women 25.9 years, while American Indian and Alaska Native women have the youngest mean age at 24.2 years, unchanged from 2022.

Low Birthweight Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2023, Tables 22-23

Low birthweight, defined as birth weight below 2,500 grams or approximately 5 pounds 8 ounces, represents a critical health indicator associated with increased risks for infant mortality, developmental delays, chronic health conditions, and special educational needs. The overall low birthweight rate of 8.58% in 2023 means approximately one in twelve American babies is born at low birthweight, essentially unchanged from 2022’s 8.60% but elevated from the 2012 low of 7.99%. Black infants face dramatically higher risks with a low birthweight rate of 14.80%, meaning nearly one in seven Black babies is born underweight, more than double the 7.04% rate for White infants. This persistent disparity reflects the cumulative effects of maternal stress, inadequate prenatal care, chronic health conditions, and structural inequalities.

Very low birthweight, defined as below 1,500 grams or approximately 3 pounds 4 ounces, poses even greater risks for survival and healthy development, often requiring intensive neonatal care and carrying risks for long-term disabilities. Black infants experience very low birthweight at 3.13%, nearly three times the 1.08% rate for White infants and more than double the national average of 1.36%. Hispanic infants have a low birthweight rate of 7.92%, slightly below the national average but showing a non-significant increase from 2022’s 7.87%. White infants experienced a modest decline to 7.04% from 7.12% in 2022. These disparities in birthweight outcomes underscore the need for enhanced prenatal care, nutrition support, chronic disease management, and interventions addressing social determinants of health.

Multiple Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin in the US 2025

Data Source: CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Births: Final Data for 2023, Tables 24-25

Multiple births including twins, triplets, and higher-order multiples carry increased risks for both mothers and babies including preterm birth, low birthweight, pregnancy complications, and developmental challenges. The overall twin birth rate of 30.7 per 1,000 births in 2023 represents a 2% decline from 2022’s 31.2 and the lowest rate in more than two decades, down 8% from the 2014 peak. This decline likely reflects changes in assisted reproductive technology practices that increasingly favor single embryo transfer to reduce multiple pregnancy risks. Black mothers have the highest twin birth rate at 41.4 per 1,000 births, meaning approximately one in 24 Black births are twins, unchanged from 2022 and substantially higher than other racial groups.

White mothers experienced a 3% decline in twin births to 31.7 per 1,000, while Hispanic mothers’ rate of 24.3 showed no significant change from 2022. The triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate of 73.8 per 100,000 births represents a 6% decline from 2022’s 78.9 and continues a dramatic long-term decline from the 1998 peak of 193.5, down 62% over this period. This substantial reduction reflects improved practices in fertility treatments that have dramatically reduced the incidence of high-order multiple pregnancies that carry extreme risks. Black mothers’ triplet+ rate of 108.9 per 100,000 essentially unchanged from 2022, while White mothers experienced a 10% decline to 76.1 per 100,000.

America’s birth rate landscape will continue evolving over the coming years as demographic, economic, and social factors reshape family formation patterns across all racial and ethnic groups. The provisional 2024 data showing a modest 1% increase in total births after years of decline may signal stabilization rather than a reversal of long-term trends toward lower fertility. Hispanic population growth through both births and immigration will likely continue driving an increasing share of American births, potentially exceeding 30% of all births within the next decade. This demographic shift will have profound implications for schools, healthcare systems, workforce composition, and cultural dynamics as America becomes increasingly diverse. Asian American births will likely continue growing as this population expands, while ongoing disparities affecting American Indian, Alaska Native, Black, and Pacific Islander communities require sustained policy attention and resource allocation.

The persistent disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes across racial groups demand comprehensive interventions addressing social determinants of health, systemic racism in healthcare, economic inequalities, and access barriers. The dramatically elevated preterm birth and low birthweight rates among Black mothers represent a moral imperative and public health crisis requiring urgent action including expanded Medicaid coverage, community-based doula programs, implicit bias training for healthcare providers, and investments in neighborhoods where mothers face concentrated disadvantage. Continued delays in childbearing across all racial groups as women prioritize education and careers will likely push mean maternal age even higher, potentially affecting overall fertility rates and requiring expanded access to fertility services. Teen birth rates will hopefully continue their remarkable decline, though closing racial gaps in teen pregnancy requires ongoing comprehensive sex education, contraceptive access, and economic opportunities for young women from disadvantaged communities. The future of American birth rates depends on policy choices regarding healthcare access, economic support for families, immigration, and efforts to eliminate racial health disparities.

Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.

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