U.S. Teen Birth Rate Reached Another Historic Low in 2022

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For Immediate Release: June 1, 2023

Contact: CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Office of Communication (301) 458-4800
E-mail: paoquery@cdc.gov

The teen birth rate in the United States decreased 3% from 2021, reaching a record low for this age group. The 2022 rates declined for both younger (ages 15–17) and older (ages 18–19) teenagers. The teen birth rate has declined every year except for two (2006 and 2007) since 1991.

These statistics and others from provisional 2022 birth data were released by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

The new report, “Births: Provisional Data for 2022,” analyzes data from more than 99% of birth certificates issued during that year. The report shows a less than 1% overall (nonsignificant) decline from 2021, with 3,661,220 births recorded in 2022. The general fertility rate in 2021 was 56.1 births per 1,000 women ages 15–44, also down less than 1% from 2021. In contrast, the number of births and general fertility rate both increased 1% from 2020 to 2021.

Other findings in the new report:

  • 2022 birth rates
    • declined for women ages 20–24 and 30–34,
    • increased for women ages 25–29 and 35–49 years, and
    • were unchanged for females aged 10–14.
  • The birth rate for women ages 20–24 (60.4) also reached a record low.
  • The increased birth rate for women ages 40–44 in 2022 continues the upward trend for this age group seen nearly every year since 1985.
  • The cesarean delivery rate increased for the third year in a row to 32.2% in 2022.
  • The low-risk cesarean delivery rate was unchanged at 26.3%.
  • The preterm birth rate declined 1% in 2022 to 10.38% after a 4% increase in 2021.

 

The report will be available on the NCHS web site at www.cdc.gov/nchs.