Yes.
South Dakota ranked No. 1 in the nation for fertility rates in 2023, with 65.6 live births per 1,000 women aged 15-44. Nebraska is second (65.2) followed by Alaska (62.4).
The United States recorded 54.5 births per 1,000 women aged 18-44 in 2023. Rates across the country have fallen since 2013, including in South Dakota. There were 78.1 births per 1,000 women that year in the state.
Then-South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem touted the state’s top ranking in 2024, saying that the birth rate shows that residents “want to raise a family.”.
Though the fertility rate is falling, South Dakota’s No. 1 ranking is a combination of family and religious values, the state's prominent agriculture sector and a strong economy, experts say.
South Dakota was 15th in infant mortality rates nationally, with 6.34 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023, according to the CDC.
This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.
Source
CDC, Fertility rates
KELO-TV, More people going childless despite SD’s high fertility rates
KELO-TV, Why SD Is leading the nation with fertility rate
Argus Leader, While births are rising, South Dakota's infant mortality continues to lead the nation
Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), Births per 1,000 Women Ages 15-44
CDC, Infant Mortality
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