Philip Cohen Featured in The New York Times on declining U.S. birthrates

Philip Cohen explains falling U.S. birthrates may reflect delayed childbearing.

In a recent story by The New York Times about falling U.S. birthrates, Faculty Associate Philip Cohen offers insights for understanding the trend. While birthrates have dropped to historic lows, the data show that many women are postponing childbearing until later in life, contributing to the current decline.

Cohen states that “it’s totally real that births are declining,” but notes that it remains uncertain how much this will translate into long-term population change. He also emphasizes the conditions behind delayed childbearing, noting that “postponing pregnancy is good when it reflects a greater degree of security, stability, but not if they’re lonely or because America has made it so hard.” His research suggests that many women may still go on to have children at older ages, indicating that the recent drop in births could represent a temporary shift rather than a permanent decline.

Read the New York Times article here. 
 

Published on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 10:31