Twin Birth Rate in the U.S. Hit a New High in 2014

More twins were born in 2014 in the United States than ever before, new statistics revealed.

According to the report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the twin birth rate last year was 33.9 per 1,000 births, which is slightly higher than the 2013 rate of 33.7 set of twins per 1,000 births. The current rate is almost doubled the rate recorded in 1980 when there were about 18.9 twins per 1,000 births.

The experts reasoned that there could be two reasons as to why twin births have increased. First, more women are using fertility treatments and second, women are having babies at a much older age. Both factors can increase a woman's chances of having twins.

The rate of other multiple births, which included triplets and more, declined in 2014. From 2013 to 2014, the rate of higher-order births fell from 119.5 births to 113.5 births per 100,000. The 2014 rate is the lowest to be recorded in 20 years.

Aside from calculating the rate of multiple births, the researchers also found a slow but steady decline in the number of births recorded in women in their 20s. The birth rates for women in their late 20s, 30s, early 40s and even 50s, however, increased from 2013 to 2014. Average age of birth in 2014 was 26.3.

The birth rate in teenagers also hit an all time low to 24.2 births per 1,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19. The experts reasoned that increased education and awareness about safe sex practices have contributed to the decline.

Overall, there were 3.99 million births in 2014, which is about a one percent increase from the 2013 rate.

For more information on the report, click here.