Pregnancy and Birth Rate Declines in Weak Economy

by Terri Potratz | January 14, 2009 at 10:18 am

897 views | 27 Recommendations | 13 comments

The US birth rate is expected to decline in the face of a weak economy, as couples postpone becoming pregnant until they have a bit more financial stability. The severity of the birth rate decline will be directly linked to the severity and duration of the financial situation.

Birth rates do tend to drop in times of economic uncertainty. There was a dramatic decline in fertility rates following the Great Depression in the 1930s, when, for the first time in U.S. history, women went from having an average of three children the previous decade to two.

In each year after the country’s last four recessions, general fertility rates — calculated as the number of women of child-bearing age per thousand who gave birth — dipped slightly. For example, in the year following the 1973-1975 recession, fertility rates dropped from 68.8 in 1973 to 65 in 1976, according to data from the National Center for Health Statistics, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Similarly, following the 1980-1982 recession, the fertility rate fell from 68.4 in 1980 to 65.7 in 1983.

As a result, doctors are receiving more inquiries about birth control options, and seeing a decrease in new pregnancies.

Without a doubt, in good economic times or bad, raising a child is an expensive proposition. According to “Expenditures on Children by Families,” an annual report put out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a middle-class family making more than $77,100 will spend nearly $300,000 raising a child from birth to age 17 — and that doesn’t even take into account college tuition or inflation.

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Mercedes Fittipaldi

at 12:45 on January 14th, 2009

Los problemas económicos suelen desestabilizar muchos valores, no cabe duda que la natalidad va a verse afectada por esto y de esta forma dejaremos a un lado uno de los principales valores de la vida.

Marisa Olivia

at 08:09 on January 23rd, 2009

Igual, esta bien que los madres quieran esperar hasta que puedan cuidarse bien a los ninos... Eso tambien es un valor.

Karenke4

at 12:50 on January 14th, 2009

Wow, 300,000?! I had no idea kids were so expensive.

generaldecay

at 04:09 on January 15th, 2009

Makes sense for sure.

fullofstitches

at 05:22 on January 15th, 2009

In the face of a weak economy, we have the least expensive part of raising a child. A midwife, homebirth, cloth diapers or infant pottying (Elimination Communication, EC it's called), and breastmilk.

fullofstitches has contributed a photo to this story.

DLDog

at 08:12 on January 15th, 2009

People are using logic and are postponing pregnancies? Weird....

$300,000. This is my #1 reason for not having kids.

Barbara McPherson

at 10:05 on January 15th, 2009

The cheap part of raising kids is before they're 17. Having children shouldn't be based on money. It is a lifetime job and your life is changed forever. You become hostage to all the perils that a child is vulnerable to. Their needs are trump. Am I glad that I was lucky enough to have children. You bet!

Studio Burgundy

at 10:02 on January 17th, 2009

My friends (shown here) are very excited to have their first child. I know a few people who desperatly want a child even though it's a weak economy. I personally have no desire to have a child for many reasons, money just happens to be one of them.

Studio Burgundy has contributed a photo to this story.

Jenn Walker (not verified)

at 08:07 on January 23rd, 2009

Sorry, but money should not be a factor in having a child. Children are a gift from God. Being pregnant is the most amazing thing on the planet. When they are toddlers-their minds are spectacular. I love to look at babies. Yes, it is expensive. I am spending $140.00 a week on daycare, but if you plan it accordingly you can get a flexible spending account for daycare. What is expensive is private school. Feeding a child should be basic... vegetables and protein. I love to see them run around and discover. I hope that you reconsider to have a baby because one day you might just change your mind. Do it before it's too late.

Marisa Olivia

at 07:34 on January 23rd, 2009

So I guess this means more money to the pharmaceutical companies, and less to retail... another hit to the industry.

Ajlouny

at 14:22 on January 24th, 2009

Who can afford having children in this economy. It's already hard trying to keep a well paying job, having no choice but to have a two income household and keep afloat. In order to keep working and have children, you need to put them in day care which costs a fortune. Plus, the sad part of all that is that other people are raising your children. I have children of my own, and they are great kids, but as a single parent, I had a lot of guilt that I was not always there for them as my mother was. Dad went to work and mom stayed home with us and raised us. It cannot be like that anymore.

Montoya (not verified)

at 02:44 on January 25th, 2009

Money is a huge factor to having children. It just cost more to take care of more than just yourself and who has it.

Oren (not verified)

at 08:07 on May 3rd, 2009

Although children are a blessing from God, realistically money plays a great part in having children. It should not be the only factor considered but it's an important one. I applaud anyone who plans well and "count the cost" before wrecklessly bringing a child into the world ill prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. You will never be 100% prepared in every way (mentally,financially, spritually) but timing is everything and some times are just better than others.