Birth rates in Western countries have been declining over the past few decades. This trend has been observed in countries such as the United States, Canada, Western Europe, and Australia.
There are several reasons for this trend, including:
Economic factors
As countries become more developed, people tend to have fewer children because the cost of raising a child increases. This is particularly true in urban areas where the cost of living is higher.
Social Factors
Changing social attitudes towards marriage, parenthood, and gender roles have contributed to a decline in birth rates. Many people are choosing to delay marriage and parenthood, or are choosing not to have children at all.
Education
Higher levels of education are associated with lower birth rates. This is because education tends to delay marriage and parenthood, and provides greater opportunities for women in the workforce.
Access to contraception
As access to contraception has increased, people are better able to plan their families and choose the number of children they have.
Overall, declining birth rates can have both positive and negative effects on society. On the one hand, it can lead to a reduction in population growth, which can alleviate some of the pressures on resources and the environment. On the other hand, it can lead to an aging population and potential economic challenges.
The aging population issue is already affecting many nations – particularly in Japan, where almost a quarter of the population is over 65. Moreover, lower numbers of younger people in the workforce mean diminished tax revenues, which exacerbates issues for Social Security and public pension frameworks.
Useful links for further research into this subject are listed below.
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/baby-bust-impact-covid-19-declining-fertility-rates
https://www.ibanet.org/Declining-fertility-rates-and-the-threat-to-human-rights
https://www.google.com/search?q=inurl%3Adeclining+birth+rates&rlz=1CAKDZI_enGB1032&ie=UTF-8