Birth Rate in California Reaches Record Low, Many Experts Say
In 2010, California's birth rate was 63 births for every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to data from the state Department of Public Health, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Many experts believe the birth rate is California's lowest ever.
Details of Birth Rate Data
In 1995, the state birth rate was 75.5 births per 1,000 women.
According to the data, California counties with the lowest birth rates in 2010 were:
- Calaveras;
- San Francisco;
- Sierra; and
- Trinity.
Birth Rate Factors
Experts say that fiscal concerns stemming from the economic recession could have caused a sharp decline in the birth rate beginning in 2008.
Hans Johnson -- a demographer at the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco -- said the low birth rate in the San Francisco area is the result of people moving out of cities and into suburbs when they start families (Roethel, San Francisco Chronicle, 11/20). This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.