Birth rate

The Latest

An aerial view of Baltimore skyline on Dec. 1, 2016.

Baltimore judge rules ‘baby bonus’ proposal unconstitutional

Aug 12, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

If ultimately approved, the “baby bonus” measure would create a fund that would issue one-time $1,000 payments to parents in... Read more

Pope Francis shared a stage with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 12, 2023, to speak at a two-day conference on “The General State of the Birth Rate,” held at Conciliazione Auditorium close to the Vatican.

Pope Francis to speak at event on Italy’s record-low birth rate

May 2, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will address “The General State of the Birth Rate” conference on May 10 at the Conciliazione Auditorium close... Read more

null

U.S. birth and fertility rates drop to record lows, according to CDC report

Apr 26, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

The total fertility rate, which estimates how many children an average woman would have over the course of her life,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the prefects of the Italian Republic in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 11, 2023.

Pope Francis expresses concern about Italy’s low birth rate

Dec 11, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Francis on Monday received the prefects of the Italian Republic in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Read more

Pope Francis shared a stage with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 12, 2023, to speak at a two-day conference on “The General State of the Birth Rate,” held at Conciliazione Auditorium close to the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Birth rate is a key indicator of a country’s hope

May 12, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis shared the stage on May 12 with Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni during a two-day conference on “The... Read more

null

Japanese prime minister vows to take action on declining birthrate

Jan 25, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently warned that Japan’s birthrate — one of the lowest in the world — is... Read more

null

Is free childbirth the next step for the pro-life movement?

Jan 19, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

Childbirth in America should be free, say two prominent pro-life leaders representing both sides of the political divide. Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 11, 2022.

Pope Francis: Low birth rate is a ‘social emergency’

May 12, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘Italy, Europe, and the West are impoverishing their futures,’ the pope said. Read more

Orphaned children in India.

Catholic diocese in India offers cash incentives, scholarships for couples with more children

Aug 6, 2021

By Jose Torres, Jr.

The Eastern-rite Syro-Malabar Diocese of Palai in Kerala state said it will pay 1,500 rupees (about US$21) monthly to the... Read more

Pope Francis attends the ‘General State of the Birth Rate’ event in Rome, May 14, 2021.

Pope Francis asks society which it values more: Children or money

May 14, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope was speaking at “The General State of the Birth Rate” event in Rome. Read more

Empty wooden crib. Image via Shutterstock

‘We took the family for granted’: Leaders grapple with Italy’s accelerating birth crisis

May 13, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will attend a May 14 event on the country’s demographic decline. Read more

Why 'disappointing' Census numbers are such a concern

Apr 30, 2021

By Matt Hadro

New Census numbers show the U.S. had its slowest decade of population growth since the Great Depression - and experts... Read more

Credit: Motortion Films/Shutterstock

Romney proposed a monthly benefit to families. Could it reverse falling birth rate?

Feb 5, 2021

By Kate Scanlon

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) unveiled a proposal on Thursday that would provide a monthly cash benefit to parents.   Read more

Credit: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

Why birth rates fell more sharply during COVID

Jan 26, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Recently-published data suggest that the birth rate in the U.S. declined considerably from 2019 to 2020, refuting hopes of a... Read more

Ross Douthat on EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, March 19, 2020.

Douthat: Decadent societies lack babies, and hope

Mar 21, 2020

By CNA Staff

Catholic author and commentator Ross Douthat said that a “decadent society” plays a role in declining birth rates, as cultures... Read more

Parliament building in Budapest, Hungary.

'If we give up our Christianity, we lose our identity,' says Hungarian minister

Dec 5, 2019

By Matt Hadro

Hungary is promoting pro-family policies because its Christian identity is at stake, the country’s family minister told CNA in an... Read more

A family in Budapest. Yuriy Scmidt/Shutterstock

Hungary's incentives mean more marriages but not more babies

Dec 2, 2019

By Matt Hadro

The country’s birth rate remains well below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, and the rate has not... Read more

CDC confirms US fertility rate fell to 'all-time low' in 2018

Jul 25, 2019

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Wednesday that the US fertility rate continued to fall in 2018, to... Read more

Empty wooden crib. Image via Shutterstock

Lowest-ever fertility rates have complicated causes, no easy solutions, experts say

May 16, 2019

By Ed Condon

Fertility rates in the United States have fallen to an all-time low, according to provisional figures released by the Centers... Read more