New data from the National Vital Statistics System and the National Survey of Family Growth indicate a recent decline in the rate of nonmarital childbearing in the U.S. The findings suggest that nonmarital births and birth rates have dropped seven and 14 percent, respectively, after a peak in the late 2000s.

The same data show an approximate total of 1,605,643 births to unmarried women in 2013. Approximately four out of 10 U.S. births were to women who were not married between 2007 and 2013. Additionally, nonmarital birth rates declined in every age group under 35 since 2007, while the rates increased for women ages 35 and older.

Key findings show that birth dates dropped more for black and Hispanic women who were not married as opposed to non-Hispanic white women who were unmarried. Nonmarital birth rates are also more likely to occur in cohabitating unions, with an increase from 41 percent of births in 2002 to 58 percent between 2006 and 2010.

Children born to unmarried women are at an increased risk for adverse outcomes, such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality. There may also be limited social and financial resources for unmarried women.

According to the official release, approximately three in five recent births in unmarrried women from 2006-2010 involved in cohabitating relationships, a much higher number than the 41 percent in 2002.