US birth rates in 2009 declined for the second straight year, a sign the economy may be causing some women to think twice about having children, U.S. health officials said.

Estimates from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 4,136,000 children were born in 2009, down 2.6% from the 2008 estimate.

That followed a similar decline in 2008, the start of the economic downturn that has yet to abate. The CDC said the 2009 numbers are preliminary and could change.

However, it was noted that more details on the demographics of mothers who gave birth in 2009 are needed to confirm the connection.

A preliminary analysis of births in 2008 showed they dropped for women of all ages under 40, but rose for women 40 and over.

This, they noted that this could be because women in their 40s may be more financially secure and believe their time to have children is running out as they approach the end of their fertile years.
Reuters