About this episode
The fertility rate in the U.S. hit another record low in 2025, with 20% fewer babies born that year compared to 20 years ago, indicating that women are continuing to wait longer to have children. This was a growing trend when this episode originally aired in 2019, where a Pew researcher explains the data behind this change in the American family and two mothers share why they waited to have children.
Get every episode summarized
Each time After the Fact publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from After the Fact
Faith in America Today
After the Fact
Scientists at Work: Studying Volcanic Eruptions—When, How Big, and How Fast?
After the Fact
From Lab to Life: What AI Tells Us About 'Long Covid'
After the Fact
What's Next for America at 250?
After the Fact