U.S. Birthrate Declines as Americans Say They’re Not Planning to Have a Child

More U.S. adults who do not already have children are saying they are unlikely to ever have them, a new Pew Research Center survey finds — findings that could draw renewed attention to the risks of declining birthrates for industrialized nations. Experts are concerned that the U.S. birthrate, which has declined for the sixth straight year, may not fuel enough population growth on its own to keep the future economy afloat and fund social programs. When survey participants were asked for a reason it is unlikely they will have children someday, 43 percent cited reasons including medical issues, economic or financial reasons, and lack of partner.