This post was originally published on this site.
Whatever else they’re thinking about, every college president in the U.S. has one common concern right now — the coming demographic cliff.
This year marks 18 years since the 2008 financial crisis — a watershed moment in American demographics.
Historically, financial crises have led to lower birth rates as parents have fewer children due to financial concerns. When the economy rebounded, birth rates would too.
In 2007, the number of births in the United States had reached an all time high — 4,316,233 babies born. According to a report published by the CDC, birth rates fell by 4% between 2007 and 2009, with 4,131,019 babies born in 2009.
Demographers attributed the decline to the Great Recession and the financial fears of would-be parents.
But when the economy recovered, demography didn’t. In 2011 birth rates continued to fall, and demographers began to worry that the U.S. might be facing a long-term problem.
And the trend has continued. In 2024, according to John Hopkins University, the U.S. recorded a birth rate of 1.6 births per woman, the lowest rate on record, well below the population replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.
Last year, 3,606,400 babies were born, 710,000 fewer than in 2007 —
Read more...
