A new report from the CDC’s National Vital Statistics System is here with a plot twist for the parenting playbook: Women in their 40s are having more babies while teen birth rates have totally tanked. It’s like the entire timeline of motherhood just did a cartwheel.
Fewer Teens, More Diplomas (and TikToks)
Back in 1990, teens made up a hefty 12.8% of all U.S. births. Fast forward to 2023? Just 4%. That’s a whopping 73% drop in teen births. Zooming in even more, the birth rate for 15–19-year-olds fell 78% — from 59.9 to just 13.1 births per 1,000 girls.
So yeah, Gen Z is saying a firm “pass” to diapers and midnight feedings — for now. Credit better sex education, easier access to contraception, and a cultural vibe shift that’s all about waiting for the right time.
This is a massive win for teen health, education, and future opportunities. More diplomas, fewer diaper bags.
Meanwhile, the 40s Are Thriving
Now let’s talk about the glow-up happening on the other end of the age spectrum. Women in their 40s are having babies at record rates.
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Births among women 40–44 are up 127% since 1990.
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For women 45+, that number has jumped a mind-blowing 450%.
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In 2023, women over 40 made up 4.1% of all births, compared to just 1.2% back in 1990.
Why the late bloom? Think career goals, financial security, personal growth — and the fact that assisted reproductive technology is opening doors like never before.
In 1990, the majority of births (around 70%) were to women under 30. Today? That number has flipped — more than half of U.S. births now come from women over 30, with the biggest jumps in the 35–39 and 40+ groups.
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