While some demographers are convinced that birthrates will rebound when Millennials grow older, this risk-averse generation may continue to dash fertility expectations. Other demographic indicators (namely, Hispanic and immigrant birthrates) also point to lower U.S. fertility. The overall birthrate is gradually falling because the percentage drop in birthrates under age 30 is larger than the percentage rise in birthrates over age 30. Witness the outsized recent declines in fertility under age 25, as well as the declines in unintended pregnancies and abortion rates in those age brackets. According to the pessimists, Millennials will widen the gap between lifetime expectations and lifetime results, resulting in a permanently lower fertility rate.

Source: Forbes March 31, 2017 22:07 UTC