Volume 73, Number 2

Objectives—This report presents 2022 data on U.S. births
by selected characteristics. Trends in fertility patterns and
maternal and infant characteristics are described.

Methods—Descriptive tabulations based on birth certificates
of the 3.67 million births registered in 2022 are shown by
maternal age, live-birth order, race and Hispanic origin, marital
status, tobacco use, prenatal care, source of payment for the
delivery, method of delivery, gestational age, birthweight, and
plurality. Selected data by mother’s state of residence and birth
rates also are shown. Trends for 2010 to 2022 are presented for
selected items, and by race and Hispanic origin for 2016–2022.

Results—A total of 3,667,758 births occurred in the United
States in 2022, essentially unchanged from 2021. The general
fertility rate declined 1% from 2021 to 56.0 births per 1,000
females ages 15–44 in 2022. The birth rate for females ages
15–19 declined 2% from 2021 to 2022; birth rates fell 7% for
women ages 20–24, rose 1% to 5% for women ages 25–29 and
35–44, and rose 12% for women ages 45-49 (the first increase
since 2016). The total fertility rate declined less than 1% to
1,656.5 births per 1,000 women in 2022. Birth rates declined for
unmarried women but increased for married women from 2021
to 2022. Prenatal care beginning in the first trimester declined
to 77.0% in 2022; the percentage of women who smoked
during pregnancy declined to 3.7%. The cesarean delivery rate
was unchanged in 2022 (32.1%); Medicaid was the source of
payment for 41.3% of births. The preterm birth rate declined 1%
to 10.38%; the low birthweight rate rose 1% to 8.60%. The twin
birth rate was unchanged in 2022 (31.2 per 1,000 births); the
2% decrease in the triplet and higher-order multiple birth rate
was not significant.

See tables for detailed information.

National Vital Statistics Reports Volume 73, Number 2, April 4, 2024 (cdc.gov)