Number of births in the United States, 1934 to present

A baby boom is any period marked by a greatly increased birth rate. This demographic phenomenon is usually ascribed within certain geographical bounds and when the number of annual births exceeds 2% of the total population size.^{[citation needed]} People born during such a period are often called baby boomers; however, some experts distinguish between those born during such demographic baby booms and those who identify with the overlapping cultural generations. Conventional wisdom states that baby booms signify good times and periods of general economic growth and stability.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] United States

The term "baby boom" most often refers to the dramatic post-World War II baby boom (1946-1964). There are an estimated 77.3 million Americans who were born during this demographic boom in births.^[1] The term is a general demographic one and is also applicable to other similar population expansions.

Recent baby boom periods include:

• Post-World War II baby boom - Years of duration vary, depending on the source (e.g., 1943-1960,^[2] 1946-1964^[3]).
• Echo baby boom (Millennial Generation) - (1980 to 1999), the children of the post-WWII baby boomers.
• 2007 - 4.3 million babies were born in the U.S., breaking the record set for children born in 1957. Contributing to the record was the increase in childbearing women of all ages, and a record share of births to unmarried women.^[4]

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

• Baby Boomers
• Generation
• Generations (book)
• Year 2000 baby boom

[edit] External links

• Birth and other medical data from CDC
• Births per year from the CDC
• Number of births per year

Please help improve this article by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page. (June 2008)