Trump admin considers ‘baby bonus’ to combat declining birth rates in US: Report

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is reportedly exploring options to reverse declining birth rates in the U.S., including adding more financial incentives, according to a new report.

On Monday, the New York Times reported that the White House had been hearing an array of ideas in recent weeks about how to get more Americans to have more children and get married. U.S. birthrates have been declining for years, although in 2024 they rose slightly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

One of the proposals being heard would grant American mothers a $5,000 cash “baby bonus” after delivery, the report says. 

Other proposals involve reserving 30% of scholarships for the Fulbright program for applicants who are married or have children. Fulbright is a flagship government-backed international fellowship. The ideas also include government-funded programs that educate women on their menstrual cycle, to better understand ovulation and how to conceive, the New York Times reported.

The ideas and proposals are coming from a group concerned with declining birthrates that’s “been gaining steam for years.” Policy experts and advocates of raising the birth rate have been in meetings with White House aides and even handed over written proposals, according to the New York Times. 

The Trump administration has yet to show indication that these ideas will be implemented or are being seriously considered. However, the New York Times noted that the consideration of these ideas is a sign that the Trump administration will “embrace a new cultural agenda pushed by many of its allies on the right to reverse declining birthrates and push conservative family values.”

Many of the ideas, like a “baby bonus” or expanded child tax credit, would require an act of Congress. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Biden administration raised the child tax credit but the expansion only lasted a year. Congress declined to renew it.

During his first term, Trump doubled the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 and raised the income cap, allowing families earning up to $400,000 to receive the benefit. The child tax credit passed under his administration will expire at the end of 2025. If the next Congress and Trump don’t act, the credit will fall back to $1,000 a child.

Vice President JD Vance has repeatedly expressed concern over declining birth rates as he entered the political sphere in 2021 and in the lead up to the 2024 election. 

The U.S. was one of only a few developed countries with a fertility rate that ensured each generation had enough children to replace itself — about 2.1 kids per woman. But the number has been sliding since 2008 and in 2023 dropped to about 1.6, the lowest rate on record.

U.S. births rose slightly last year, but experts don’t see it as evidence of reversing a long-term decline.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.