While the birth rate continues to decline and tragic disparities in infant mortality persist, the latest snapshot of U.S. births, deaths, marriages, and divorces reveals profound changes reshaping the nation's demographic fabric.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States recorded 3,667,758 live births, a 2% decline from 2021
- The 2022 general fertility rate in the US was 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, down 3% from 2021
- In 2022, the birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 per 1,000 females, a historic low
- In 2022, age-adjusted death rate in US was 798.8 per 100,000 population
- Total US deaths in 2022 numbered 3,464,231, up 4.8% from 2021
- Heart disease caused 702,880 deaths in 2022, age-adjusted rate 179.6 per 100,000
- US marriage rate in 2021 was 6.0 per 1,000 population, up 12% from 2020
- Total marriages in US 2021 numbered 2,077,000
- Nevada had highest marriage rate 2021 at 25.9 per 1,000
- US divorce rate in 2021 was 2.5 per 1,000 population
- Total divorces in 2021 numbered 689,308, up 10% from 2020
- Nevada highest divorce rate 2021 at 4.2 per 1,000
- US infant mortality rate in 2022 was 5.60 per 1,000 live births
- Total infant deaths in 2022 numbered 20,527
- Neonatal mortality rate (<28 days) 2022 was 3.58 per 1,000 live births
The United States is experiencing declining birth rates alongside persistent public health challenges and mortality gaps.
Births
- In 2022, the United States recorded 3,667,758 live births, a 2% decline from 2021
- The 2022 general fertility rate in the US was 56.0 births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years, down 3% from 2021
- In 2022, the birth rate for teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 per 1,000 females, a historic low
- US twin birth rate in 2022 was 31.1 per 1,000 live births, stable from prior year
- Triplet/+ birth rate in 2022 was 1,389.7 per 100,000 live births, down slightly
- In 2021, 81.8% of US live births were to non-Hispanic white mothers
- Birth rate for non-Hispanic black women in 2021 was 53.8 per 1,000 aged 15-44
- Hispanic fertility rate in 2021 was 63.5 per 1,000 women 15-44 years
- In 2020, 55.6% of US births occurred in the South census region
- California reported 422,264 live births in 2020, highest among states
- New York state birth count in 2020 was 210,282, down 4% from 2019
- Mean age of mother at first birth in 2021 was 27.3 years, up from prior years
- Cesarean delivery rate for US births in 2022 was 32.1%
- Low birthweight (<2500g) rate in 2022 was 8.52% of live births
- Preterm birth rate (<37 weeks) in 2022 was 10.41%
- In 2021, prenatal care in first trimester for 83.1% of US live births
- Smoking during pregnancy rate in 2021 was 6.5% among mothers
- Multiple birth rate in 2021 was 32.5 per 1,000 live births
- US birth rate in 2019 was 11.4 per 1,000 population
- Total fertility rate in 2022 was 1,620.5 per 1,000 women 15-44
- Births to women 40+ years in 2022 numbered 112,419
- Unmarried childbearing ratio in 2022 was 39.8%
- Gestational diabetes rate among mothers in 2021 was 8.8%
- Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy affected 12.2% in 2021
- Congenital malformations reported in 3.2% of 2021 births
- Eclampsia occurred in 0.5% of 2021 US live births
- Texas had 390,888 births in 2021
- Florida births in 2021 totaled 223,571
- Pennsylvania births in 2021 were 131,233
- Illinois births in 2021 numbered 126,946
- In 2023 provisional data, US births totaled 3,596,017, down 2%
Births Interpretation
The American cradle is slowing its rock, growing more seasoned in its mothers and mindful in its methods, yet it still faces a persistent chorus of health challenges and disparities.
Deaths
- In 2022, age-adjusted death rate in US was 798.8 per 100,000 population
- Total US deaths in 2022 numbered 3,464,231, up 4.8% from 2021
- Heart disease caused 702,880 deaths in 2022, age-adjusted rate 179.6 per 100,000
- Cancer deaths in 2022 totaled 611,720, rate 156.8 per 100,000
- COVID-19 deaths in 2022 were 286,913, down 71% from 2021
- Unintentional injuries caused 233,593 deaths in 2022, rate 59.9 per 100,000
- Stroke deaths numbered 162,893 in 2022, rate 41.1 per 100,000
- Chronic lower respiratory diseases killed 147,382 in 2022, rate 37.9 per 100,000
- Alzheimer disease deaths were 119,399 in 2022, rate 30.5 per 100,000
- Diabetes deaths totaled 103,294 in 2022, rate 26.4 per 100,000
- Kidney disease caused 55,427 deaths in 2022, rate 14.3 per 100,000
- Crude death rate in 2021 was 879.7 per 100,000
- Influenza/pneumonia deaths in 2022 were 53,544, rate 13.7 per 100,000
- Suicide deaths numbered 49,369 in 2022, rate 12.7 per 100,000
- Homicide deaths were 25,896 in 2022, up 1.3%
- Septicemia deaths totaled 44,917 in 2022, rate 11.5 per 100,000
- Hypertension deaths were 37,606 in 2022, rate 9.6 per 100,000
- Parkinson disease caused 19,463 deaths in 2022
- Liver disease/cirrhosis deaths numbered 56,585 in 2022, rate 14.5 per 100,000
- Males had death rate of 930.1 per 100,000 in 2022, females 701.9
- Non-Hispanic white death rate in 2022 was 845.9 per 100,000
- Non-Hispanic black rate was 922.3 per 100,000 in 2022
- Hispanic death rate 2022 was 581.1 per 100,000
- California deaths in 2022 totaled 311,227
- Texas deaths 2022 were 283,897
- Florida deaths numbered 302,356 in 2022
- Drug overdose deaths in 2022 were 108,509, rate 27.9 per 100,000
- Firearm deaths totaled 48,830 in 2022, up 1%
- Motor vehicle crash deaths were 42,514 in 2022
Deaths Interpretation
If death were a dinner party in 2022, heart disease and cancer were the overwhelmingly persistent hosts, COVID finally stopped hogging the conversation, and we all need to have a serious talk about who keeps bringing the uninvited plus-ones of overdoses, firearms, and car crashes.
Divorces
- US divorce rate in 2021 was 2.5 per 1,000 population
- Total divorces in 2021 numbered 689,308, up 10% from 2020
- Nevada highest divorce rate 2021 at 4.2 per 1,000
- Arkansas divorce rate 2021 was 3.4 per 1,000 population
- California divorces totaled 90,581 in 2021
- Texas divorces numbered 74,305 in 2021
- Florida divorces 2021 totaled 74,539
- New York divorces were 41,548 in 2021
- Median duration of marriage before divorce in 2021 was 8.0 years
- Divorces involving children under 18 totaled 155,234 in 2021
- 2020 provisional divorces were 630,505, down 19%
- Oklahoma divorce rate 2021 was 3.3 per 1,000
- Kentucky divorces totaled 25,396 in 2021
- Alabama divorces numbered 32,919 in 2021
- Tennessee divorces 2021 were 32,574
- Louisiana divorces totaled 23,106 in 2021
- Indiana divorces numbered 25,728 in 2021
- Mississippi divorce rate 2021 was 3.1 per 1,000
- Missouri divorces totaled 28,394 in 2021
- South Carolina divorces 2021 numbered 22,083
- Divorce rate in 2019 was 2.7 per 1,000 pre-pandemic
- DC divorce rate 2021 was 1.9 per 1,000
- Montana divorces totaled 3,339 in 2021
- Wyoming divorces numbered 2,370 in 2021
Divorces Interpretation
In 2021, after eight years of typical wedded bliss, America decided the odds weren't in its favor and collectively placed its bets on a national re-set, with Nevada firmly leading the table and one in four splits involving a family reshuffle.
Infant Mortality
- US infant mortality rate in 2022 was 5.60 per 1,000 live births
- Total infant deaths in 2022 numbered 20,527
- Neonatal mortality rate (<28 days) 2022 was 3.58 per 1,000 live births
- Postneonatal mortality rate (28 days-1 year) 2022 was 2.02 per 1,000
- Congenital malformations caused 20.1% of infant deaths in 2022
- Low birthweight was underlying cause in 15.4% of 2022 infant deaths
- Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) 2022 rate 0.33 per 1,000 live births
- Maternal complications caused 6.3% of infant deaths in 2022
- Non-Hispanic black infant mortality rate 2022 was 10.86 per 1,000
- Non-Hispanic white rate 2022 was 4.42 per 1,000 live births
- Hispanic infant mortality 2022 was 4.95 per 1,000
- California infant deaths 2022 totaled 1,725
- Texas infant mortality count 2022 was 1,698
- Florida infant deaths numbered 1,218 in 2022
- Preterm birth related conditions caused 16.7% of infant deaths 2022
- Unintentional injuries infant death rate 2022 0.48 per 1,000
- 2021 infant mortality rate was 5.44 per 1,000 live births
- Bacterial sepsis of newborn rate 2022 0.22 per 1,000
- Intrauterine hypoxia/birth asphyxia 1.1% of infant deaths 2022
- Respiratory distress of newborn 5.2% of 2022 infant deaths
- Disorders related to short gestation/high birthweight 11.0% infant deaths 2022
- New York infant deaths 2022 totaled 938
- Pennsylvania infant mortality 2022 was 609
- Illinois infant deaths numbered 708 in 2022
- Ohio infant mortality count 2022 781
- Georgia infant deaths 2022 totaled 775
Infant Mortality Interpretation
While we can measure a nation's progress in many ways, the persistently high and unequal infant mortality rates reveal a sobering truth: our most vulnerable citizens often face the gravest inequities from their very first breath.
Life Expectancy
- US life expectancy at birth in 2022 was 77.5 years, up 1.1 from 2021
- Male life expectancy 2022 was 74.8 years, female 80.2 years
- Non-Hispanic white LE 2022 77.6 years
- Non-Hispanic black LE 2022 was 72.8 years
- Hispanic LE 2022 79.1 years
- Life expectancy at age 65 in 2022 was 18.8 years overall
- 2021 LE was 76.4 years, down from 2019's 78.8
- California LE 2022 estimated 78.9 years
- New York LE 2022 77.8 years
- Texas LE 2022 77.2 years
- Florida LE 2022 77.3 years
- Healthy life expectancy at birth 2022 ~66 years
- LE decline 2020-2021 was 2.4 years for males
- Asian/Pacific Islander LE 2022 83.5 years, highest
- American Indian/Alaska Native LE 2022 67.9 years, lowest
- LE at age 1 year 2022 was 77.0 years
- Infant mortality contribution to LE gap noted in 2022 data
- COVID-19 reduced LE by ~0.3 years in 2022
- Pennsylvania LE 2022 77.0 years
- Illinois LE 2022 77.5 years
Life Expectancy Interpretation
We climbed back from the pandemic's cliff edge in 2022, gaining a precarious 1.1 years collectively, yet the view from the top still reveals a stubbornly uneven landscape of inequality where your zip code and the color of your skin stubbornly chart the course of your life.
Marriages
- US marriage rate in 2021 was 6.0 per 1,000 population, up 12% from 2020
- Total marriages in US 2021 numbered 2,077,000
- Nevada had highest marriage rate 2021 at 25.9 per 1,000
- Hawaii marriage rate 2021 was 14.4 per 1,000 population
- Utah marriages totaled 24,111 in 2021, rate 7.4 per 1,000
- California marriages in 2021 were 208,995
- Texas marriages numbered 186,104 in 2021
- Florida marriages 2021 totaled 142,553
- New York marriages were 95,456 in 2021
- Median age at first marriage for males in 2021 was 30.1 years
- Median age at first marriage for females 2021 was 28.2 years
- Marriage rate for 25-34 age group in 2021 was 29.7 per 1,000
- 2020 provisional marriage count was 1,676,911, down 17%
- Indiana marriage rate 2021 was 6.8 per 1,000
- Pennsylvania marriages 2021 totaled 68,098
- Illinois marriages numbered 58,611 in 2021
- Ohio marriages 2021 were 70,662
- Michigan marriages totaled 49,201 in 2021
- Georgia marriages 2021 numbered 67,751
- North Carolina marriages 2021 were 67,184
- Marriage rate in 2019 was 6.1 per 1,000 pre-pandemic
- DC marriage rate 2021 was 7.8 per 1,000 population
- Montana marriages totaled 6,905 in 2021, rate 6.2
- Wyoming marriage rate 2021 was 5.7 per 1,000
Marriages Interpretation
After a year of pandemic-induced isolation, Americans collectively decided in 2021 to not only love their neighbor but, in many cases, legally marry them, with Las Vegas weddings leading the charge and the rest of the nation cautiously following suit while still waiting a few more years to actually settle down.