The economic and public health fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic could result in an impending “baby bust.” A new report published by Brookings suggests that the U.S. could see a decline of between 300,000 to 500,000 births if the labor market continues to suffer beyond this year.

Economic factors have impacted birth rates throughout history, say authors Melissa S. Kearney, a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings, and Phillip Levine, a professor of economics at Wellesley College.