NYT 요약
Women in Their 20s May Not Be Having Babies, but by 45 Most Probably Will
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/upshot/births-decline-older-mothers.html
April 9, 2026
작년 미국 출산율(15-44세 여성 1,000명 당 출생아 수)이 대공황 이후 최저를 기록함
출산하는 여성은 10대, 20대보다 30대, 40대가 증가하는 추세임
출산율이 줄었다기보다 출산하는 시기가 늦춰졌다는 견해도 있음
예컨대 한 번 이상 출산을 한 여성은 30세까지는 49%, 40세까지는 63%, 50세까지는 69%였음
2024년에 45세(최대 가임 연령)까지 출산한 여성은 88%를 차지해 2004년의 84%보다 상승함
늦은 출산 원인으로 학업 및 커리어 추구, 의학 발달, 피임 확대, 경제적 불안에 따른 유예 등이 있음
소득 격차에 따른 출산율 차이 가능성에 대한 우려도 있음
Last year, the U.S. birth rate(number of U.S. births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44) hit its lowest level since the Great Depression.
American women have become much less likely to have them in their teens or 20s — and much more likely to in their 30s or 40s.
Some argue that the age of childbirth has been delayed rather than the birth rate itself decreasing.
In 2024, the most recent year for which there is this data, 49 percent of women who were 30 had given birth to at least one child. By comparison, 63 percent of women who were 30 just a decade ago had had a child, and 69 percent of those who were 30 two decades ago, according to an analysis of federal data by Professor Cohen.
In 2024, women who gave birth by age 45 (the maximum fertile age) accounted for 88%, an increase from 84% in 2004.
Causes of delayed childbirth include pursuing education and careers, medical advancements, increased contraception, and delays due to economic instability.
There are concerns regarding disparities in birth rates due to income inequality.