Utah's birth rate has continued a steady decade-long decline, falling to 13.0 births per 1,000 residents in 2023, according to data released by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. The decline follows a decade of consistent decreases from a rate of 17.5 per 1,000 Utahns in 2013.
Utah Trends vs. National Averages
The downward trend in Utah's birth rate mirrors broader national shifts. While Utah maintains a higher birth rate than the United States, the gap between the state and the nation remains significant. In 2023, the final U.S. birth rate was 10.7 per 1,000 population, compared to Utah's 13.0. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, there were 44,992 live births recorded to Utah residents in 2023.
National Birth Trends and Projections
Provisional data from the National Center for Health Statistics released in April 2026 indicates that the United States saw a 1% decrease in total births in 2025, totaling 3,606,400 births. This follows a similar pattern of fluctuation, as the number of U.S. births declined by an average of 2% annually between 2015 and 2020. The general fertility rate for the United States in 2025 was 53.1 births per 1,000 females aged 15–44, a 1% decrease from the 2024 rate of 53.8.
Record Lows in Teenage Fertility
Teenage fertility rates are experiencing record-breaking declines across the country. Provisional 2025 data from the National Center for Health Statistics shows the U.S. fertility rate for teenagers aged 15–19 fell to 11.7 births per 1,000 females, a 7% drop from 2024. This represents a significant long-term shift, with rates for this age group declining 72% since 2007 and 81% since 1991.
Demographic Shifts in Younger Populations
The decline is even more pronounced when looking at specific teenage age brackets. In 2025, the fertility rate for younger teenagers aged 15–17 dropped 11% from 2024 to 4.7 births per 1,000 females. The rate for older teenagers aged 18–19 fell 7% from 2024 to 21.9 births per 1,000 females. Both groups reached record lows for their respective age ranges, with teenage rates for both groups having declined significantly from 2007 levels.
Utah Teenage Birth Statistics
In Utah, teenage birth rates have also seen a reduction. In 2023, the Utah birth rate for teenagers aged 15–19 was 8.0 births per 1,000 females, down from 8.3 per 1,000 females in 2022. This is notably lower than the U.S. teenage birth rate of 13.2 per 1,000 females reported in 2023.
Maternal Health and Support Services
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services noted that while a high overall birth rate is not a direct risk factor for poor health outcomes, elevated teen pregnancy rates remain a concern because those pregnancies are considered to be at higher risk. To support maternal and infant health, the state provides various services through community health centers, pharmacies, and private providers. Utah law requires parental consent for unmarried minors to obtain contraception information and services from community health centers and clinics.
Medical and Delivery Statistics
Medical trends in childbirth also showed slight shifts in provisional 2025 data. The U.S. cesarean delivery rate increased slightly to 32.5% in 2025, up from 32.4% in 2024. The low-risk cesarean delivery rate also saw a minor rise, moving from 26.6% in 2024 to 26.9% in 2025. Meanwhile, the preterm birth rate remained stable, holding at 10.41% in 2025, unchanged from 2024.
