birth rate
noun
variants
or birthrate
: the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time
Examples of birth rate in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An aging population and declining birth rate are existential issues in Italy, but emigration further stretches the ratio in rural areas like this.
—
Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
During the 1980-90 decade, for example, the state’s population soared by about 6 million people, a nearly 25% gain, thanks to high levels of immigration and a lofty birth rate.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
More than 120,000 Marylanders left the state between 2020 and 2024, and even though international immigration and a positive birth rate offset the loss, this isn’t a reassuring sign.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Under her leadership, the teen birth rate for 15-17 year olds declined by 65% between 2006 and 2016.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for birth rate
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Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026
During the 1980-90 decade, for example, the state’s population soared by about 6 million people, a nearly 25% gain, thanks to high levels of immigration and a lofty birth rate.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
More than 120,000 Marylanders left the state between 2020 and 2024, and even though international immigration and a positive birth rate offset the loss, this isn’t a reassuring sign.
—Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026
Under her leadership, the teen birth rate for 15-17 year olds declined by 65% between 2006 and 2016.
—Thomas Koetting, jsonline.com, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for birth rate
Cite this Entry
“Birth rate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/birth%20rate. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
birthrate
noun
birth·rate
-ˌrāt 
: the number of births for every hundred or every thousand persons in a given area or group during a given time
Medical Definition
birth rate
noun
variants
or birthrate
: the ratio between births and individuals in a specified population and time often expressed as number of live births per hundred or per thousand population per year
called also natality
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