The natural population replacement fertility rate in the US is estimated to be how many births per woman?

The natural population replacement fertility rate is defined as the number of children that need to be born per woman in order to maintain a stable population size, without accounting for immigration. In the United States, this rate is approximately 2.1 births per woman. This figure accounts for the fact that not all children born will survive to adulthood and that some women and couples will choose not to have children. A replacement rate of about 2.1 is necessary to ensure that a population replaces itself, as it helps balance out the mortality rates and the gender ratio at birth.

Understanding this rate is crucial in demographic studies, as it can have significant implications for workforce size, economic growth, and social services. When the fertility rate falls below this level, it can result in an aging population and potential labor shortages, influencing policy decisions and economic strategies.