WASHINGTON, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. fertility rate has hit its highest level since 1971, according to new figures released Thursday by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
The phenomenon sets the country apart from most industrialized nations that are struggling with low birthrates and aging populations.
NCHS statistics show the fertility rate hit 2.1 births per woman last year, the first time since shortly after the 'baby boom' ended that the nation has reached the rate of births needed for a generation to replace itself, which is an average of 2.1 per woman.
"What matters is that the U.S. is probably one of very few industrialized countries that have a fertility rate close to or at replacement level," says Jose Antonio Ortega, head of the fertility section at the United Nations' Population Division.
A high fertility rate is important to industrialized nations. When birthrates are low, there are fewer people to fill jobs and support the elderly.
Fertility in the U.S. went up in every age group from 2005 to 2006, the biggest jump coming among those between 20 and 24 years old.
The U.S. population topped 300 million last year, and the Census Bureau projects growth to 400 million by around 2040.
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