2023 US fertility rate at record low due to financial strain and personal choices.

2023 sees a record low fertility rate in the US, as inflation and rising costs for childcare, food, and housing strain young families, causing them to delay or avoid having children. The Pew Research Center reports that 3x more childless adults under 50 cannot afford children than older generations. While costs are a factor, the main reason for not having children is personal choice, as younger generations prioritize their lifestyle, travel, and saving for the future.