Texas Births: A Decade of Change

Over the past decade, Texas has seen a fascinating shift in its birth rates. The state’s population has been on the rise, but the number of babies being born has actually decreased. Experts point to the increasing number of people moving to Texas from other countries as a major factor. In 2014, Texas had about 27 million residents and around 400, 000 births. By 2024, the population jumped to over 31 million, but the number of births dropped to about 388, 000. The fertility rate, which is the number of births relative to the number of women of childbearing age, has also been changing. This rate is important because it affects the growth of the population, and in turn, the healthcare system, policies, and the economy. In 2014, Texas had a fertility rate of 14. 8 per 1, 000 people. By 2023, this rate dropped to 60. 6 per 1, 000 women aged 15-44. This is a significant decrease from the national rate of 69 per 1, 000 women in 2007. Looking at the data, we see that the number of premature births has also been fluctuating. In 2014, Texas had about 48, 000 premature births. By 2019, this number increased to over 50, 000, and in 2023, it dropped slightly. These changes in birth rates and premature births are influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and changes in the population. It’s interesting to note that while Texas has been experiencing a decrease in births, the overall U. S. population is still growing. This growth is driven by a combination of births, deaths, and people moving to the U. S. from other countries.