Fertility Rates Rise In US; We're At Replacement Level!

Washington Post ^ | 12/21/07 | Rob Stein

[Marie2]

For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population, solidifying the nation's unique status among industrialized countries.

The overall fertility rate increased 2 percent between 2005 and 2006, nudging the average number of babies being born to each woman to 2.1, according to the latest federal statistics. That marks the first time since 1971 that the rate has reached a crucial benchmark of population growth: the ability of each generation to replace itself.

"It's been quite a long time since we've had a rate this high," said Stephanie J. Ventura of the National Center for Health Statistics. "It's a milestone."

While the rising fertility rate was unwelcome news to some environmentalists, the "replacement rate" is generally considered desirable by demographers and sociologists because it means a country is producing enough young people to replace and support aging workers without population growth being so high it taxes national resources.

"This is a noteworthy event," said John Bongaarts of the Population Council, a New York-based think tank. "This is a sign of demographic health. Many countries would like to be at this level."

Europe, Japan and other industrialized countries have long had fertility rates far below the replacement level, creating the prospect of labor shortages and loss of cultural identity as the proportion of native-born residents shrinks in relation to immigrant populations.

[Constitution Day]

Cheetos seem to be a fertility miracle!

Praise Chester!

[kabar]

Yes, and even immigrants grow old.

[kabar]

Why is it such a problem if 1 out 4 Americans are Hispanic? We went through this route before and we did just fine.

No, we didn't. Read the The Hispanic Challenge By Samuel P. Huntington and let me know where you disagree with the professor.

[Popman]

Most of those children are the children of illegal aliens.

I'd like to see a source on that comment.

Granted, we do have a problem with illegals in this country, but I think the vast majority of children being born here are from legal citizens.

[3AngelaD]

The math: About 25 percent of the 4 million annual births in the U.S. are to immigrant mothers. By comparison, in 1970 only 6 percent of U.S. births were to immigrant mothers. Anchor babies account for 45 percent or more of all immigrant births in 12 states: Arizona, 56.4 percent; New Mexico, 55.1 percent; Texas, 54.5 percent; Arkansas, 51.0 percent; Colorado, 51.0 percent; Nevada, 50.1 percent; North Carolina, 48.8 percent; Nebraska, 48.2 percent; Oklahoma, 47.8 percent; Idaho, 47.8 percent; California, 47.7 percent; Kansas, 46.1 percent.

I still say we are being overrun AND outbred.

[RobbyS]

The almost simultaneous immigration reform and the legal triumph of Planned Parenthood inspired legal reform resulted in a dearth in the European-American population. The Mexicans et al. have simply moved into the hole. Of previous immigrant groups they are most like the Italian/Sicilians whose pre-1914 out-migration sometimes exceed the in-migration, as they moved back home to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Italy’s liberal government was a sink of incompetence and corruption, which made it much like the present Mexican one.

[puppypusher]

Most of those children are the children of illegal aliens.
I’d like to see a source on that comment.

Granted, we do have a problem with illegals in this country, but I think the vast majority of children being born here are from legal citizens.

---

I Hate to say it but I work in a Major Hospital in the North Eastern United States and when you see the numbers of people,Mostly originating from South America who have 2 or 3 children only a year apart in age and their parents don’t speak a word of English you tell me what you would think.

These people are coming here and getting care they are not even paying for the majority of the time and thats a fact.

The people that are paying for it are hose carrying insurance and those paying their taxes.

[ProCivitas]

"...For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population"

And for that aggregate fertility rate, what's the composition demographically/ethnically?

Some advancing pronouncedly; Others declining I'd expect.

Northern folks should have 3 or more kids before age 30.

Also, we should enact into law mandatory exile for many criminal cases. And voluntary repatriation incentives in non-criminal cases.

[kabar]

The US population has been stable for some time. We are the world's third largest country in terms of population and have the highest annual populaltion growth rate [.89%] of any developed country--primarily due to immigration. Fertility rates aren't that significant if you can make up the difference thru immigration, legal and illegal.

Currently, 1.6 million legal and illegal immigrants settle in the country each year; 350,000 immigrants leave each year, resulting in net immigration of 1.25 million. If immigration continues at current levels, the nation’s population will increase from 301 million today to 468 million in 2060 — a 167 million (56 percent) increase. Immigrants plus their descendents will account for 105 million (63 percent) of the increase. The total projected growth of 167 million is equal to the combined populations of Great Britain, France, and Spain. The 105 million from immigration by itself is equal to 13 additional New York Cities.