In 2026, the U.S. fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.6 births per woman, well below the 2.1 replacement rate. This reflects a larger global trend affecting nearly two-thirds of the world. As birth rates decline, the U.S. faces a shrinking workforce, aging population, and growing pressure on programs like Medicare and Social Security. In this inquiry, students grapple with the factors behind declining birth rates and consider what these trends might mean for the future.