Falling global fertility rates - 17th August 2020

Researchers predict that populations will become smaller in most countries because of fewer global births.

Populations around the world are both decreasing and ageing, which could result in a 50% drop in the number of people in some countries. We are living in a time where it’s just as common to celebrate an 80th birthday as it is a new birth.

A study from the University of Washington found that women are having fewer babies. They reported an average of 2.4 children in 2017 compared to 4.7 children in 1950 and the number is expected to go down further to 1.7 by 2100.

Generally, women have fewer children when they receive better education and healthcare, work more and can access birth control.

As the global population ages, there are many factors to think about:

Hospitals and doctors need more support; people retire later; types of careers change; people migrate in search of better lives.

Migration helps countries with ageing populations because when young people arrive, they work and make money which improves the economy. But this can’t continue if all populations grow smaller.

Some governments are encouraging people to have children by offering support for parents.

If the world’s population continues to fall, countries will have to organise a new system to support the future of humans.