The fertility rate in the United States fell to a record low in 2024, with fewer than 1.6 children born per woman, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on July 24.
Once among the few developed nations maintaining a replacement-level birth rate of around 2.1 children per woman, the US has seen a steady decline over the past two decades. Experts attribute the trend to more women choosing to delay motherhood or not having children at all.
Having children is an important life decision, but in present-day America, it's hardly an easy one to make. Parenthood can be the result of personal choice or circumstances beyond one’s control. In the US, the reasons behind childlessness vary widely. While some come from infertility or other medical issues, many are based on lifestyle preferences and individual priorities. The Pew Research Center has published a report examining the experiences of US adults who don’t have children.
Click on to find out the reasons people give for not having kids.