U.S. Baby Boomlet Reflects Record Number of Births in 2007

According to a preliminary estimate of birth records, conducted by the National Center of Health Statistics and released on March 18, 2009, more babies were born in America in 2007 than at any other time in history. The year saw 4,317,119 births. Additional statistics that were reported:

• A rise in the number of unmarried mothers. The report cited 60% of women (ages 20-24) and 86% of women (ages 15-19) as unmarried.
• Teen mothers represented nearly a quarter (23%) of those giving birth, extending an upward trend that had begun in 2006.
• Increases occurred within all races and Hispanic origin groups and for nearly all age groups.

This increase in births is being referred to as a "boomlet," with data significantly below the numbers recorded in the 1950s when the American "baby boom" occurred. Demographic experts have conflicting opinions regarding what effect the current recession might have on the next round of statistics.

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