Countries with the Lowest Birth Rates in the World

The Vanishing Generation: A Look at Low Birth Rate Nations

Reading time : 1 minute, Discovery Chepe Id-525-SOC
Published in 11-13-2024

Photo: Amit Gaur
The birth rate is a demographic indicator that tells us how many births there are per 1,000 inhabitants in a given period, usually a year.

Why are fewer children being born in some countries? Declining birth rates are a global phenomenon that poses significant challenges for the future of many societies. In this article, we will explore the causes behind this trend, its effects on economies and societies, and the possible long-term consequences.

Causes of low birth rates
Rising cost of living, less job stability, difficulty in reconciling work and family.
Female empowerment: Greater access to education and the labor market, which delays motherhood or leads some women to decide not to have children.
Urbanization: Migration to cities, where lifestyles tend to be more individualistic and less conducive to forming large families.
Cultural changes: Transformation of traditional values about family and motherhood, greater importance of personal fulfillment.
Access to contraception: Greater availability and use of contraception, allowing couples to better plan the number of children.

Global Decline in Birth Rates: 1950-2024

1. ?? South Korea: 88%
2. ?? China: 83%
3. ?? Thailand: 81%
4. ?? Japan: 80%
5. ?? Iran: 75%
6. ?? Brazil: 74%
7. ?? Colombia: 72%
8. ?? Mexico: 72%
9. ?? Poland: 71%
10. ?? Turkey: 70%
11. ?? Russia: 69%
12. ?? Saudi Arabia: 69%
13. ???
— Global Statistics (@Globalstats11) October 25, 2024

The Future of Humanity: Can We Reverse the Birth Rate Decline?

Photo: Brytny.com

Effects of low birth rates on economies
a) Aging population: Increase in the proportion of older people and decrease in the working-age population.
b) Labor shortage: Difficulty filling vacancies in certain sectors, which can slow economic growth.
c) Pressure on pension and health systems: Greater demand for services for an aging population, putting the sustainability of these systems at risk.

Long-term consequences
1-Demographic decline: Reduction in the total population, which can lead to loss of political and economic influence.
2-Changes in social structure: Fewer young people, which can affect social and cultural dynamics.
3-Pressure on natural resources: Less pressure on natural resources due to a smaller population, but also less capacity to deal with environmental challenges.

Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, as well as some European nations, have tended to record the lowest birth rates in the world, below are the trends:

Taiwan: With a fertility rate of 1.11 children per woman, it is the country with the lowest rate in the world.
Puerto Rico: With 1.26 children born per woman.
Italy: With 1.26 children born per woman.
Spain: With 0.13 children born per woman.
Poland: With 1.32 children born per woman.

On the other hand, the countries with the highest fertility rates are:
Niger: With a fertility rate of almost seven children per woman.
Somalia: With a high fertility rate.
Chad: With a high fertility rate.

In Latin America, some countries with high fertility rates are:
Paraguay, with 2.4 children per woman.
Haiti, with 2.7 children per woman.
Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela, with 2.1 children per woman.

Photo: www.unfpa.org

What can be done?
To reverse this trend, it is necessary to implement public policies that encourage birth, such as:

Support for family conciliation: Facilitate co-responsibility in child care.
1-Improve child care services: Increase the availability and quality of nurseries and kindergartens.
2-Economic incentives: Offer financial aid to families with children.
3-Promoting family culture: Promote family values and raise awareness about the importance of having children.

The decline in the birth rate is a complex challenge that requires long-term solutions. It is essential that governments, businesses and society as a whole work together to find sustainable solutions.