Important Facts for General Fertility Rate

Definition

Number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 years.

Numerator

Number of live births.

Denominator

Total number of women aged 15-44 years in the population.

Data Interpretation Issues

The age range can be slightly different, so it is important to note what age range is being used especially if comparison with other rates is contemplated.

Why Is This Important?

The general fertility rate is a more precise measure of tracking birth rate patterns among Utah and U.S. women than is the crude birth rate. While the crude birth rate and the general fertility rate both look at the total number of live births among the population, the crude birth rate is calculated using the total population including the young, old, male, and female. The general fertility rate is calculated using only females of reproductive age - defined as ages 15 through 44 years - residing in Utah during a specified time period. This results in a more sensitive indicator with which to study population growth and change.

How Are We Doing?

Utah's general fertility rate peaked in 2007, with a rate of 95.4 live births per 1,000 women aged 15 through 44 years of age. The rate has steadily declined since 2007 to 60.6 in 2022.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

The general fertility rate for the United States has also declined since 2007, with a rate of 56.0 per 1,000 women aged 15-44 in 2022. In 2022, the Utah general fertility rate of 60.6 was higher than the U.S. general fertility rate of 56.0.

What Is Being Done?

Fertility rates are a measure of population growth and can be impacted by economic, social, environmental and/or demographic factors.