Comments about 2007 being a peak birthrate are interesting…from grok Why Did It Decline in 2008? The primary driver was the Great Recession (which began in late 2007). Economic uncertainty, rising unemployment, housing market collapse, and financial stress led many couples to postpone or forgo childbearing. • State-level evidence: Declines were strongest in states hit hardest by the recession (e.g., those with bigger job losses or housing busts). Fertility changes correlated with economic indicators. • Broader pattern: Recessions historically suppress births temporarily (e.g., 1930s, 1970s), as people delay family formation amid income/employment worries. The 2008 downturn was especially severe and prolonged. • Other contributing factors: Slight decline in immigration (which can affect birth numbers), but the recession was the dominant explanation. Long-term trends like rising education costs, student debt, and shifting priorities played roles but accelerated more after 2008. In short, 2008 wasn’t an all-time low, but it signaled the end of a relatively stable/rebounding period and the onset of persistently lower fertility tied to economic shocks and ongoing social changes. Births stayed suppressed for years afterward, contributing to millions fewer births than pre-recession trends would suggest. scholars.. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​