While a single sentence often captures a life's journey, the 2022 data from the National Vital Statistics System paints a breathtakingly detailed and evolving picture of American life, from birth and marriage trends to mortality rates that saw nearly 3.7 million new lives begin and over 3.4 million deaths recorded across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) registered 3,667,758 live births in the United States
- The crude birth rate in the US for 2022 was 11.0 per 1,000 population according to NVSS data
- Fertility rate for US women aged 15-44 in 2022 dropped to 56.0 births per 1,000 women, NVSS report
- In 2022, NVSS recorded 3,464,231 deaths in the US
- Crude death rate 2022: 9.08 per 1,000 population, NVSS
- Age-adjusted death rate 2022 provisional: 798.8 per 100,000
- In 2021, NVSS marriage rate was 5.1 per 1,000 population
- Total marriages 2021: 1,676,911 per NVSS
- Nevada highest marriage rate 2021: 25.1 per 1,000
- Divorce rate 2021 NVSS: 2.5 per 1,000 population
- Total divorces 2021: 689,308 per NVSS
- Highest divorce rate state 2021: Arkansas 3.4 per 1,000
- NVSS processed over 14 million vital records annually across US states 2022
- 100% of US birth certificates registered via NVSS state systems 2022
- NVSS death registration completeness: 99.5% within 1 year
The NVSS blog post reports 2022 US births declined while deaths increased from heart disease and cancer.
Birth Statistics
1In 2022, the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) registered 3,667,758 live births in the United States
Verified2The crude birth rate in the US for 2022 was 11.0 per 1,000 population according to NVSS data
Verified3Fertility rate for US women aged 15-44 in 2022 dropped to 56.0 births per 1,000 women, NVSS report
Verified4In 2021, twin birth rate was 31.3 per 1,000 live births per NVSS
Directional5Triplet+ birth rate in 2021 was 1.3 per 10,000 live births via NVSS
Single source6Preterm birth rate (before 37 weeks) in 2022 was 10.41% of live births, NVSS
Verified7Low birthweight (<2500g) rate in 2022 was 6.99% per NVSS data
Verified8Infant mortality rate in 2022 provisional was 5.60 per 1,000 live births, NVSS
Verified9Neonatal mortality rate (0-27 days) 2021 was 3.55 per 1,000 live births
Directional10Postneonatal mortality rate (28-365 days) 2021 was 1.98 per 1,000, NVSS
Single source11Maternal mortality rate 2021 was 32.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, NVSS
Verified12Cesarean delivery rate in 2022 was 32.1% of live births
Verified13Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) rate 2022 was 12.0%, NVSS
Verified14First birth rate for women 15-44 in 2022 was 26.0 per 1,000
Directional15Birth rate for teenagers 15-19 in 2022 was 13.6 per 1,000 females, NVSS
Single source16Birth rate for ages 40-44 in 2022 increased to 12.7 per 1,000
Verified17In 2022, California NVSS reported 457,000 live births, highest state
Verified18Texas NVSS births 2022: 418,000 live births
Verified19New York NVSS births 2022: 212,000
Directional20Florida NVSS births 2022: 221,000 live births
Single source21Mean age of mother at birth 2022: 30.5 years nationally, NVSS
Verified22Unmarried birth ratio 2022: 39.8% of live births
Verified23Prenatal care in first trimester 2022: 79.5% of live births, NVSS
Verified24No prenatal care percentage 2022: 1.0%
Directional25Gestational diabetes reported on birth certificates 2022: 9.7%, NVSS
Single source26Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy 2022: 13.2%
Verified27Congenital heart defects birth prevalence 2021: 9.5 per 1,000 live births
Verified28Down syndrome prevalence 2021: 1.4 per 1,000 live births, NVSS
Verified29Neural tube defects 2021: 0.6 per 1,000 live births
Directional30Live birth sex ratio 2022: 1,050 males per 1,000 females, NVSS
Single sourceBirth Statistics Interpretation
The 2022 data paints a picture of American births as a story of cautious hope: while we're having slightly fewer babies at an older age, and celebrating more twins, we are also starkly reminded of our work ahead by a persistently high maternal mortality rate and disparities in prenatal care.
Death Statistics
1In 2022, NVSS recorded 3,464,231 deaths in the US
Verified2Crude death rate 2022: 9.08 per 1,000 population, NVSS
Verified3Age-adjusted death rate 2022 provisional: 798.8 per 100,000
Verified4Heart disease leading cause 2022: 695,547 deaths (19.7%), NVSS
Directional5Cancer second leading cause 2022: 605,427 deaths (17.1%)
Single source6COVID-19 deaths 2022: 178,932 (8.0% provisional), NVSS
Verified7Accidents (unintentional injuries) 2022: 222,518 deaths
Verified8Stroke deaths 2022: 162,893 (4.6%), NVSS
Verified9Chronic lower respiratory diseases 2022: 142,342 deaths
Directional10Alzheimer disease 2022: 119,399 deaths, NVSS
Single source11Diabetes deaths 2022: 103,294 (2.9%)
Verified12Drug overdose deaths 2022 provisional: 107,941, NVSS
Verified13Suicide deaths 2022: 49,369 (13.8 per 100,000)
Verified14Homicide deaths 2022: 24,849, NVSS
Directional15Life expectancy at birth 2022 provisional: 77.5 years
Single source16Infant mortality rate 2022: 5.60 per 1,000 live births
Verified17Under-5 mortality rate 2021: 6.4 per 1,000 live births, NVSS
Verified18Death rate ages 85+ 2022: 15,203.9 per 100,000
Verified19Death rate ages 65-74 2022: 1,373.5 per 100,000, NVSS
Directional20Male life expectancy 2022: 74.8 years provisional
Single source21Female life expectancy 2022: 80.2 years, NVSS
Verified22California deaths 2022 NVSS: 313,000
Verified23Texas deaths 2022: 283,000
Verified24Florida deaths 2022: 295,000, NVSS
Directional25New York deaths 2022: 194,000
Single source26Opioid-involved overdose deaths 2022: 81,806 provisional
Verified27Firearm-related deaths 2022: 48,830 (14.0 per 100,000), NVSS
Verified28Motor vehicle traffic deaths 2022: 42,514
Verified29Alcohol-induced deaths 2022: 17,703, NVSS
DirectionalDeath Statistics Interpretation
While heart disease and cancer continue to lead the grim parade of American mortality, a closer look at the data reveals we are also, in significant numbers, accidentally, intentionally, and overdosing our way to an early curtain call, with men notably rushing ahead to the exit.
Divorce Statistics
1Divorce rate 2021 NVSS: 2.5 per 1,000 population
Verified2Total divorces 2021: 689,308 per NVSS
Verified3Highest divorce rate state 2021: Arkansas 3.4 per 1,000
Verified4Lowest divorce rate 2021: Massachusetts 1.0 per 1,000, NVSS
Directional5Median duration of marriage to divorce 2021: 8.0 years
Single source6Divorces per 1,000 married women 15+: 15.1 in 2021, NVSS
Verified7Divorces involving children under 18: 32% in 2021 data
Verified8California divorces 2021: 68,000
Verified9Texas divorces 2021: 72,000, NVSS
Directional10Florida divorces 2021: 57,000
Single source11First divorces percentage 2021: 68% of total
Verified12Divorce rate decline 2000-2021: 52% drop, NVSS
Verified13Female petitioner in 70% of divorces 2021
Verified14January peak divorce month 2021: 13.5%, NVSS
Directional15Divorces by age 45-54 highest volume 2021: 28%
Single source16Crude divorce-marriage ratio 2021: 0.41
VerifiedDivorce Statistics Interpretation
While Arkansas led the nation in 2021 with a divorce rate of 3.4 per 1,000 people, the national rate of 2.5 shows that, after a 52% decline since 2000, the institution of marriage is perhaps less like a thrilling rollercoaster and more like a moderately predictable road trip where, statistically speaking, many couples decide to get out and walk after about eight years.
Funding
1NVSS funding from CDC: 100% federal support 2023
Verified2NCHS total budget FY2023: $172 million including NVSS
Verified3State vital records funding avg: $50M per large state 2022
Verified4Federal grants to NVSS states: $10M annually for EDR
Directional5NVSS research grants awarded 2022: 25 projects $2M
Single source6User fees for vital records copies: $20-30 avg nationwide 2023
Verified7NVSS IT infrastructure budget: $5M FY2023
Verified8State-local funding share for vital stats: 60% operations 2022
Verified9NVSS data dissemination no-cost policy 100%
Directional10Philanthropic support to NVSS: minimal <1% budget
Single source11Cost recovery from record sales: 20% state budgets 2022
VerifiedFunding Interpretation
While its primary funding stream is purely federal, the National Vital Statistics System is a bizarrely economical workhorse, managing our nation's life and death data on a shoestring budget compared to state-level costs, all while disseminating its findings for free.
Marriage Statistics
1In 2021, NVSS marriage rate was 5.1 per 1,000 population
Verified2Total marriages 2021: 1,676,911 per NVSS
Verified3Nevada highest marriage rate 2021: 25.1 per 1,000
Verified4Hawaii marriage rate 2021: 12.5 per 1,000 population, NVSS
Directional5Median age at first marriage males 2021: 30.1 years
Single source6Median age first marriage females 2021: 28.2 years, NVSS
Verified7Marriages per 1,000 unmarried females 15+ 2021: 31.1
Verified8Total marriage certificates issued 2020: 2,115,502 (prelim)
Verified9Utah marriage rate 2021: 9.9 per 1,000, NVSS
Directional10California marriages 2021: 177,000
Single source11Texas marriages 2021: 162,000, NVSS
Verified12Florida marriages 2021: 124,000
Verified13New York marriages 2021: 95,000, NVSS
Verified14Same-sex marriages 2019: 28,673 estimated via NVSS
Directional15Remarriage rate among marriages 2021: about 40% second or higher
Single source16Marriage rate decline 2000-2021: 44% drop nationally, NVSS
Verified17Weekend marriages peak Saturday 35% in 2019 data
Verified18June most popular marriage month 2021: 11.5% of annual, NVSS
Verified19International marriages NVSS tracks: 5-10% involve foreign-born
DirectionalMarriage Statistics Interpretation
While Nevada's 25.1 per 1,000 marriage rate suggests Americans are still keen on the institution, they're just taking their sweet time and increasingly going back for seconds, as evidenced by the national median age climbing past 30 for men and a 44% overall decline since 2000.
Operations
1NVSS processed over 14 million vital records annually across US states 2022
Verified2100% of US birth certificates registered via NVSS state systems 2022
Verified3NVSS death registration completeness: 99.5% within 1 year
Verified4Average processing time for birth cert: 10 days in NVSS systems 2023
Directional5NVSS electronic death registration (EDR) adoption: 98% states 2023
Single source6Annual NVSS data releases: 50+ reports and tables 2022
Verified7NVSS staff at NCHS: 150+ full-time equivalents 2023 budget
Verified8Cost per vital record processed NVSS avg: $2.50 2022 est.
Verified9NVSS data used in 90% US Census demographic estimates
Directional10State vital stats offices: 57 registration areas 2023
Single source11NVSS fetal death registration: 50 states + DC 2022
Verified12Annual NVSS training sessions for states: 20+ workshops
Verified13NVSS data validation error rate: <0.1% 2022
Verified14Public queries to NVSS hotline: 500,000/year 2022
Directional15NVSS website visits 2022: 2.5 million unique users
Single source16Budget allocation NCHS NVSS: $15M in FY2023
Verified17NVSS linked birth/infant death data files: 1980-2021 available
Verified18NVSS cause-of-death coding uses ICD-10 since 1999
Verified19NVSS multiple cause-of-death data: 30 million records coded 2022
Directional20NVSS international collaborations: 50+ countries data sharing
Single sourceOperations Interpretation
While America might casually debate pizza toppings and pop stars, the National Vital Statistics System serves as the nation’s sober, meticulous bookkeeper, quietly and efficiently processing the profound ledger of life and death for over 14 million people annually with a staff of 150 and a budget smaller than many mid-sized marketing departments.