birthrate

American

[burth-reyt] / ˈbɜrθˌreɪt /

noun

the proportion of births to the total population in a place in a given time, usually expressed as a quantity per 1000 of population.

Etymology

Origin of birthrate

First recorded in 1855–60; birth + rate ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Beijing’s support could help stabilize sentiment in formula, nutrition, and baby-care categories that have been shrinking with the birthrate.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The birthrate is 1.0 in China and 1.3 in Japan.

From Barron's • Dec. 31, 2025

Keep in mind that it is already being squeezed on both ends by longer lifespans and a U.S. birthrate which has sunk to a record low.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 20, 2025

“The causes of the declining birthrate are complex, and we don’t believe that a single measure will solve the problem,” said Shiori Wada, who leads the subsidy initiative at the city’s metropolitan government.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 12, 2025

At present neither infant mortality nor the birthrate runs high in the civilized areas of Gethen.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023