Minnesota birth rate lowest in decades

ST. PAUL, Minn. - The tough economy may be tied to a sharp decline in the number of babies born in Minnesota.

State demographer Tom Gillaspy says the birth rate is close to being the lowest it has been in 100 years. He says people are saving their money and not spending on big ticket items - and what could be bigger than having a child.

There were about 67,000 births in Minnesota hospitals in 2009, a decline of more than 3,000 from 2007. Admissions at Children's Hospital was off by 10 percent last year, in part because of the low birth rate. The University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital also saw a significant decline in pediatric admissions.

Gillapsy tells the Pioneer Press the birth rate in Minnesota should start to grow in the second half of this year.

Winona Daily News

Pioneer Press says it's the economy

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