Missouri

Social and Welfare Issues

The rate of out-of-wedlock births rose to 40.9 of all Missouri births compared with 40.5 percent in 2007 and 34.1 percent in 1998. Spacing of less than 18 months between births remained at 12.8 percent of 2007 and 2008 live births, but such percentage increased constantly over the decade. Births under Medicaid and Supplemental Food for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) schemes, as well as the rate of mothers using Food Stamps, all increased. The Food Stamps program witnessed the largest increase.

When compared to 11,470 in 2007, the number of abortions in 2008 (11,508) represented a slight [Page 781]increase. However, the 2008 number marks nearly a 10-percent decrease from 12,751 just 10 years ago. The rate of inadequate prenatal care did not change between 2007 and 2008, remaining at 11.9 percent, but was slightly higher than the rate of 10.9 percent in 1998. Over the past decade, marriages have declined by 8 percent and divorces by 13 percent.

A study in the trends of Missouri fertility rates between 1990 and 2002 reveals that while these remained constant overall (with a 3 percent variation over the 12 years), they varied greatly with regards to specific age and racial groups. For example, fertility for women aged 30 or higher reached its highest level since the 1960s. The highest fertility rates among ethnic groups were found among Hispanic women, followed by African Americans. Missouri rural counties had the highest fertility rates, while rates were lowest in counties with large university populations.

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