Georgia Birthrates Are Falling and That Could Be Bad News for You and the State. Here’s Why.

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By Sundi Rose

July 22, 2025

Fewer American women are having babies than ever before and the birthrate numbers don’t look much better for Georgia residents.

Simon Greenberg, Founder of Medidex, a medical communication platform, has been tracking demographic changes through healthcare data and the results reveal a downward trend in births across the nation.

“We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how American families are forming,” he says. “The health implications are clear, but the economic consequences will unfold over the next several decades.”

Georgia’s economy and financial future could be seriously and negatively impacted because of declining birthrates.

Georgia’s birthrate numbers

According to data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Census Bureau, Georgia’s birthrates have lowered in recent years, reflecting national trends.

Additionally, the average age of new mothers is increasing, more births are occurring to women in their 30s versus 20s and teen pregnancies are down.

Here are some key takeaways from the statistics:

  • Georgia’s birthrate has dropped nearly 29% since 2007.
  • The population over 65 has risen nearly 16% in recent years, while the number of minors has shrunk.
  • Low-birthweight rate: 10.2% in 2023, well above the national figure, raising red flags about women’s and infant health.
  • Infant mortality: 7.08 deaths per 1,000 live births — one of the worst rates nationally.

What does declining birthrates mean for Georgia?

In Georgia and beyond, this shifting pattern is tied to delayed family planning, increased access to birth control and fertility treatments and complex socioeconomic factors, the Pew Research Center reports.

These can be attributed to:

  • Shrinking and aging workforce: Fewer babies and more seniors means a smaller pool of adults in the workforce. Forcing worker shortages, which drives up labor costs and slows business expansion.
  • More pressure on social support programs: Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid could be strained, meaning fewer workers bearing the tax burden for each retiree.
  • Rising child care and health costs: Providers are closing or consolidating as the market shrinks, driving prices up for remaining families. Additionally, demand for senior care is surging, raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for long-term care.
  • Housing crisis: Housing demand is shifting — more seniors are seeking accessible homes and fewer large families need extra bedrooms.
  • Poverty rates: Georgia’s child poverty rate remains high, with 18% of children below the poverty line in 2023. Fewer youth may mean more concentrated disadvantages in some communities

What can Georgia do to combat the negative effects?

The Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) offers advice to policymakers:

More policies supporting families: Paid leave, accessible child care, and baby bonuses.
Healthcare expansion: More investment in maternal and infant health care, especially in rural areas.

Want more information?

Georgia’s declining birthrate and aging population will inevitably shape the economic future of the state. What do you believe will happen if the data continues to trend downward?

Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.

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