• Louisiana ranks first with an annual average of 54.9% of births to unmarried mothers between 2021 and 2023.
  • Mississippi is in second place, and New Mexico is in third, with an annual average of 54.7% and 52.6%, respectively.
  • On the other end of the rankings, Utah reported the lowest average unmarried birth rate during the same period, at 20.4%.

A new study reveals that Louisiana reported the highest unmarried birth rate in the nation, far outpacing other states.

The research by the Birth Injury Lawyers Group analyzed unmarried birth rates from 2021 to 2023 across all 50 states, reviewing three consecutive years of data to identify patterns and trends using the National Center for Health Statistics. For each state, the unmarried birth rate was compiled, averaged over the period, and then compared against the national average (39.1%) to identify where out-of-wedlock births are most common.

Louisiana ranks first with an annual average of 54.9%, 15.8 points higher than the national average of 39.1%. Between 2021 and 2023, the Pelican State averaged 54.9% unmarried births per year, with its highest rate of 55.5% in 2023 and the lowest at 54.5% in 2021.

Mississippi ranks second with an annual average of 54.7%, 15.6 points higher than the national average of 39.1%. Between 2021 and 2023, the Magnolia State averaged 54.7% unmarried births per year, with its highest rate of 54.9% in 2023 and the lowest at 54.3% in 2022.

New Mexico ranks third with an annual average of 52.6%, 13.5 points higher than the national average of 39.1%. Between 2021 and 2023, the Land of Enchantment averaged 52.6% unmarried births per year, with its highest rate of 52.7% in 2023 and the lowest at 52.4% in 2021.

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Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Birth Injury Lawyers Group commented,

“The results show a striking pattern across the U.S., with states like Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Mexico reporting unmarried birth rates far above the national benchmark.

“These trends highlight how cultural, social, and economic factors can influence family structures, and why states may differ so widely in their rates of out-of-wedlock births.”

Nevada ranks fourth with an annual average of 48.7%, 9.6 points higher than the national average of 39.1%. Between 2021 and 2023, the Silver State averaged 48.7% unmarried births per year, with its highest rate of 49.3% in 2021 and the lowest at 48.1% in 2022.

Delaware ranks fifth with an annual average of 47.1%, 8  points higher than the national average of 39.1%. Between 2021 and 2023, the First State averaged 47.1% unmarried births per year, with its highest rate of 47.3% in 2022 and the lowest at 46.9% in 2023.

Florida (6th) had an annual average of 46.1%, followed by Alabama (7th) at 45.9%, Georgia (8th) at 45.9%, Arkansas (9th) at 45.9%, and Arizona (10th) at 45.3%.

Table for Extended Results:

Top 10 U.S. States With the Highest Unmarried Birth Rates (2021–2023)
StateAverage Unmarried Birth Rate (%) (2021-2023)Rank
Louisiana54.91
Mississippi54.72
New Mexico52.63
Nevada48.74
Delaware47.15
Florida46.16
Alabama45.97
Georgia45.98
Arkansas45.99
Arizona45.310

The study was conducted by Birth Injury Lawyers Group, a nationwide network of lawyers advocating for families affected by medical negligence.

Methodology

The study analyzed unmarried birth rates from 2021 to 2023 across all 50 states, reviewing three consecutive years of data using the National Center for Health Statistics to identify patterns and trends. For each state, the unmarried birth rate was compiled, averaged over the period, and compared against the national average (39.1%) to identify where unmarried births are most common.

Data Sources