Health Indicator Report of General Fertility Rate
The general fertility rate is a more precise measure than the crude birth rate for tracking birth rate patterns. While the crude birth rate and the general fertility rate both look at the total number of live births among the population, the crude birth rate is calculated using the total population including the young, old, male, and female. The general fertility rate is calculated using only females of reproductive age, defined as ages 15 through 44 years, in the denominator. This results in a more sensitive indicator with which to study population growth and change.
Notes
The age range may be slightly different in some publications, so it is important to note what age range is being used especially if comparison with other rates is contemplated. Data for White, Black, and Asian/Pacific Islander do not include Hispanics. Hispanic ethnicity includes persons of any race. Due to a change in population estimation methodology at the U.S. Census Bureau, rates for 2020 and later are not directly comparable to rates from before 2020.Data Sources
- Birth Certificate Database, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health
- National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau. Vintage 2019 bridged-race postcensal population estimates. [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm] as of July 9, 2020.
- National Center for Health Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau. Revised 1990-2009 bridged-race intercensal population estimates. [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/bridged_race.htm] as of October 26, 2012.
- Population Estimates, [https://www.nj.gov/labor/lpa/dmograph/est/est_index.html State Data Center], New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Definition
Number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15-44 yearsNumerator
Number of live birthsDenominator
Total number of women aged 15-44 years in the populationHow Are We Doing?
The general fertility rate among New Jersey women was 57.9 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age in 2021. The rate varied widely across the state's counties from a low of 49 (Hunterdon) to a high of 98 (Ocean). Rates also varied by race/ethnicity. The rate among Hispanics (66) was significantly higher than the rates among other racial/ethnic groups.How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
The general fertility rate among New Jersey women is currently slightly above that of the nation as a whole after decades below the national rate.
Page Content Updated On 07/28/2023,
Published on 07/28/2023
