Women are continuing to put off having children to establish careers, reports a new study, and even pregnancy among the teenage populations is taking a dip as birth rates dropped to record-setting lows in 2013.
That's the latest regarding birth rate trends from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
The CDC reports the overall U.S. fertility rate hit a record low point of 62.9 births per 1,000 women, with 3,957,577 babies born last year.
Teenagers, those aged 15 to 19, are avoiding pregnancy as well with that figure dropping 10 percent to 26.6 births per 1,000.
"Certainly the drop in the teen birth rate is pretty astounding," said Carl Haub, senior demographer with the Population Reference Bureau, who says the trend is likely the result of public service efforts on teen pregnancy issues.
Older woman, those in their 30s and 40s, are the ones giving birth these days, notes the report, with birth rate hitting its top peak since 1963.
Some may be putting off children for careers, some say it may also be an economic factor.
"We are going up the age ladder and have been for many, many years," said Haub, citing women opting to postpone childbirth to get higher education or establish themselves in their careers.
The birth rate for women 40 to 44 is also at a peak point. As one publication cited the trend may reveal that the 'baby recession' may be ending. Some industry watchers believe the dip in having children is the result of the national economy and the recession from 2007 to 2009.
One researcher also said the birth rate trend may illustrate how the U.S. is following the European birth rate trend
"Maybe the new norm is having children in your 30s," said Rob Stephenson, a demographer at Emory University.
