Overview

• The Trump administration is evaluating pronatalist measures to boost U.S. birth rates, including a $5,000 baby bonus, motherhood medals, and scholarship preferences for parents.
• Experts argue that systemic economic barriers, such as high childcare costs and lack of paid parental leave, undermine the effectiveness of one-time financial incentives.
• The U.S. fertility rate remains at a near-record low of 1.6 births per woman, continuing a downward trend since the 2010 Great Recession.
• A LendingTree survey found that 46% of parents have fewer children due to financial constraints, with the cost of raising a child now nearing $300,000.
• Past international attempts at similar policies, such as Australia's 2004 baby bonus, resulted in only short-term increases in birth rates without addressing long-term affordability issues.