We're Bearing Up: U.S. Fertility Reaches Ideal Rate
WASHINGTON - For the first time in 35 years, the U.S. fertility rate has climbed high enough to sustain a stable population, solidifying the nation's unique status among industrialized countries.
The overall fertility rate increased 2 percent between 2005 and 2006, nudging the average number of babies being born to each woman to 2.1, according to the latest federal statistics. That marks the first time since 1971 that the rate has reached a crucial benchmark of population growth - the ability of each generation to replace itself.
"It's been quite a long time since we've had a rate this high," said Stephanie Ventura of the National Center for Health Statistics. "It's a milestone."...