The United States birth rate has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, according to a Thursday report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report, based on a review of 99.91% of 2022 birth certificates processed by the National Center for Health Statistics, found 3,661,220 U.S. births in 2022, about 3,000 fewer than in 2021.

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Though a change authors say is relatively small, the decline shows a birth rate plateau developing after the massive, "all-time low" 4% drop from 2019 to 2020 and a 1% increase in 2021. The plateau also follows the trend of declining birth rates in the U.S., where births have declined 2% per year from 2014 to 2020.

Total fertility in 2022 remained below replacement, which is the level that ensures each generation can replace itself with children, which is about 2,100 children per 1,000 women. The CDC notes that the trend in the U.S. has been below replacement since 1971, but "consistently below replacement since 2007."

While the fertility rate dropped by less than 1% for women aged 15-44, the total birth rate was 1,665 births per 1,000 women which researchers said was "essentially unchanged from 2021."

Overall, birth rates for women increased for women later in life and declined for women in their teens and 20s.

Women aged 35-49 increased birth rates, while women aged 15-24 and 30-34 saw decreases. Women aged 25-29 saw a slight increase.

These numbers come during a decline in marriage, family, and other milestones of adulthood in America.

A decline in marriage and having children later in life both contribute to lower birth rates, as delaying motherhood contributes to having fewer children overall.

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While the data from the CDC are provisional data, a more detailed report is expected later this year, which may give insight into the effects of the Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade and states deciding to restrict abortion.

However, given the preliminary data show moderate changes, the effects of the overturn may not be seen until 2023 data is published.