A new report from the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) warns that the US could be headed for population decline within the next few decades. Despite Americans wanting larger families, with an average desired family size of 2.4 children, the actual fertility rate has fallen below 1.6 children per woman.

Family Formation and Fertility

According to Lyman Stone, Director of IFS’ Pronatalism Initiative, the discrepancy between desired and actual family size is closely tied to family formation. Stone notes that Americans haven’t given up on having children, but rather, many are delaying marriage or forgoing it altogether, leading to smaller family sizes than desired.

Stone emphasizes that people who marry earlier are more likely to reach their family size goals. He also highlights the importance of peer culture, with young Americans having supportive friendships reporting a desire for larger families.

Consequences of Declining Birth Rates

The report warns that if fertility rates continue to decline, the US population will peak at 351 million before starting to decline in the 2050s. Stone argues that fixing the trend in birth rates will require policymakers to prioritize family formation, including eliminating marriage penalties in tax and welfare programs and creating financial incentives to encourage Americans to have children.

Stone stresses that strong families are essential to the long-term success of the US, saying, ‘Families are the bedrock of a functional society. It’s family growth that built this country. It’s family growth that will keep this country going. And if we do not have families growing, liberty will not long last,’

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.