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Researchers at the University of Houston have released a report examining fertility rates in states with and without abortion bans following the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade. The study, conducted by UH’s Institute for Research on Women, Gender & Sexuality, analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control over the past year.
The report indicates that states with abortion bans experienced higher fertility rates (57.5 births per 1,000 women) compared to those without bans (52.4 per 1,000 women). Elizabeth Gregory, professor of English & WGSS and director of the IRWGS at UH, noted that while an increase in fertility rates might be expected in states with abortion bans, this was not observed in 2023.
Gregory explained that "the 2022 fertility rate rise in Texas seems to have been impacted by the six-week abortion ban that became law in 2021." However, after the Dobbs decision in 2023, there were declines suggesting adjustments in fertility behavior due to changes in abortion access.
Despite overall declines across all states, those with bans saw slower reductions compared to non-ban states. Gregory highlighted the "divided national scene" created by these bans and how they potentially affect fertility rates differently across regions.
Texas experienced a slight rise in its overall fertility rate by 2.04% in 2022 but faced a decline of 2.07% in 2023 to a new low rate of 60.64 births per 1,000 women. California saw a minimal increase of .08% in 2022 followed by a significant drop of 4.45% in 2023 to reach a new low rate of 50.44 births per 1,000 women.
Key findings from the report also showed variations based on age groups and other factors such as contraception access and economic conditions impacting fertility rates differently between ban and no-ban states.
Gregory added that despite declining rates, some women may still bear children they did not plan for due to restrictions or fears related to medical treatment under current laws.