It’s Not a Mystery Why Fertility Rates Are Declining

In April, the government released data showing that the American fertility rate declined again in 2025. There’s been a nearly continuous drop in the fertility rate since 2007. Though the factors driving this decline are complicated, the most likely culprit is the significant fall in teen births. The birthrate has increased for women in their 30s and 40s over the past two decades, and some have theorized that this increase in later births may ultimately lead to a fertility plateau, rather than a continued decline.

You’d think that on balance, this would be a call for celebration.

But some conservatives have implied that, actually, teens should be having babies. And they go further, pinning blame for declining fertility........

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