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Baby Bust: Explaining The Declining U.S. Birth Rate

07.26.2021 - By NPRPlay

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According to the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. birthrate fell by 4 percent in 2020 — hitting a record low. People are having fewer children than the 2.1 needed to maintain a steady population. That's been true for years across all domestic communities.

Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly why people want fewer children. Others are finding that even if they wanted more children, a rise in infertility that a lot harder.

Why is the birth rate in the U.S. right now so low? And if we can find ways to encourage people to have more children, should we?

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