Birthrates drop in California, and experts blame recession

Birthrates in California began to drop in 2008, in what experts say is a response to the recession. The downward trend of California’s birthrate mirrored that of many other states, experts found.

A Pew Research Center analysis released Wednesday found that the number of California babies born in 2008 dropped to 551,000, down from 566,000 babies born in the state in 2007.

This signified a 2.8% dip in the birthrate, the third largest decline of any state other than Arizona and Mississippi. In the same time period, California’s per capita income decreased from $44,880 to $43,641, according to the study.

In the previous year, the state’s housing prices decreased by more than 2%, the largest drop in the country, researchers said. Researchers found that the data is telling of a link between birthrates and the souring economy.

“We wanted to see whether there was some kind of link for the most recent recession,” said D’Vera Cohn, the study’s senior writer. “We looked at the decision to get pregnant and took a look at what is going on in the economy to affect that decision.”

Indeed, Arizona’s birthrate, which saw the largest decline in the country in 2008, reflected its weakened economic picture. The state had a decrease in income between 2006 and 2007, and housing prices that increased only 1.7% in the same time period.

Researchers cited an October 2009 Pew Research Center survey, which found that 14% of Americans ages 18 to 34, and 8% of those ages 35 to 44 say they postponed having a child because of the recession. In the past, birthrates have roughly reflected the nation’s economic booms and busts, Cohn said.

-- My-Thuan Tran

Photo: L.A. Times file

Comments

[janice]

Is there a breakdown by ethnicity? The last 2 years are also when there's been a decline in the number of Hispanic immigrants coming to the US, especially the west, because there are fewer jobs, and more than usual have even gone home.

Yes people of all races have fewer kids in economic crises, but whites have long had fewer kids and postponed child-rearing til they're much older, than have the lower-income Latino groups and some African Americans, because of concerns about paying for education, housing etc. while poor Latino families have kids as a matter of "macho" and Catholicism and let society deal with the consequences.

[Soundbite]

Why not a headline "experts credit recession"? When will the human race learn that we have overpopulated our planet, and that falling birthrates are the only hope for the future.

FALLING BIRTHRATES ARE GOOD.

[Marlena]

Hasn't dropped enough - more illegals need to go back where they came from to make a significant drop - they breed even if there is a recession which is why they are so poor and never climb out of poverty.

[Jose]

The citizens of CA birth rate has been down, and it is the illegals that has had the high birth rate.

[McCrazy]

I guess the recession also decreases the libido. Who would of thought?

[Thdukf]

Sadly, the ugly ones procreate no matter what!!

[Karen]

yes, all the illegals discovered they -- maybe -- can't afford to have more babies. This is a good thing.

[My opinon means nothing]

2.8% is significant? Boy, I just don't see it as being that significant as to blame anything!

[DrZaius_H8s_U2]

So what's this 'blame' verbiage? Decreasing the human population growth is a damn good thing. Fewer people, better world. There is no 'blame' to be cast, only thanks.

[Ruby Jackson]

Oh my goodness! What a beautiful, little, precious human being! Have a good life, baby.

[Mabel R.]

I think that its good that birth rates arent increasing. Specially because so mane "young" girls are getting pregnant these days and maybe it takes a bad recession to teach them hat having a baby isnt that easy.

[Juan]

I think is good that birthrates are dropping. Some people have kids and then they cant even feed them. If you cant even feed or care for kids then dont have them.

[**gorgeous**]

why is everyone quick to blame the immigrants ? take a step back and realize this is their land ! california arizona new mexico texas was all mexican ! maybe all the white euro's need to get back to their side of the pond ! also whites are not reproducing enough or are reproducing with other races to point that the " white " American is almost extinct ! for every one latino or african american that dies there are 4 new latin or african amer. babies born, however the ratio for white americans is zero ! so either your too selfish or have come to realize how great people of color really are !