SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Arizona is on track to see less babies born in 2023 than recent years.
Less than 65,000 babies were born in Arizona so far this year, according to data from the Arizona Department of Heath Services (ADHS).
"For the better part of the last decade, the birth rate has declined in the state of Arizona," ADHS Chief Reporting Officer Krystal Colburn said.
Arizona's birth rate in 2022 was 10.7, which is more than 36% lower than the birth rate 15 years ago, according to ADHS.
"If you go back to 2007, that was our highest birth rate year, and that was a year of 102,687 births," Colburn said. "So, really you can see over the last decade or so that decline."
Parts of the Valley are feeling the impact of a declining birth rate.
HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center closed its birthing center back in June.
A HonorHealth spokesperson told 12News the decision was made because of declining delivery volumes, a substantial reduction in obstetrical providers and rising costs of staffing specialists around the clock.
"We remain committed to serving our community and providing exceptional, high-quality maternity care," a HonorHealth spokesperson said.
Since the Osborn closure, a HonorHealth spokesperson said they've seen an increase in overall births at its Scottsdale Shea and Sonoran Crossing Medical Centers.
Colburn said she can't say exactly why less people are having babies, but said there are often a number of driving factors.
"Right now, we're seeing the economy take a change with inflation rates. We've had the COVID-19 pandemic over the last couple years. So, those are a couple of things that could definitely lead to a decline in the birth rate, in addition to other common factors, such as access to medical care," Colburn said.
Colburn said the birth rate is historically higher than the death rate in Arizona, but a declining birth rate means the state will see an aging population, and in time will affect the death rate as well.
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