<p>In 2018 there were <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/report004.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">3.85 million births</a> and <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929#:%7E:text=According%20to%20the%20Centers%20for,0.4%25%20over%202016%27s%20death%20rate." rel="nofollow noreferrer">2.81 million deaths</a>.</p>
<p>My understanding is that the U.S. birth rate is near or below replacement rate, but I don't understand why. If more people are being born than are dying, won't the population continue to grow?</p>

<statistics><united-states><demography>
Why is the U.S. birth rate considered below replacement if more people are being born than are dying annually?
David Kennell
# Why is the U.S. birth rate considered below replacement if more people are being born than are dying annually?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-08-10)

In 2018 there were [3.85 million births](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/report004.pdf) and [2.81 million deaths](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/282929#:%7E:text=According%20to%20the%20Centers%20for,0.4%25%20over%202016%27s%20death%20rate.).

My understanding is that the U.S. birth rate is near or below replacement rate, but I don't understand why. If more people are being born than are dying, won't the population continue to grow?

**Tags:** statistics, united-states, demography

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