All articles tagged with #birthrate
Japan's centenarian count has surpassed 100,000 for the first time, reaching 107,677 this year (about 88% women), underscoring the nation’s rapidly aging population and low birthrates as officials warn about sustaining social security; the oldest residents include a 114-year-old woman and a 112-year-old man.
South Korea recorded 254,500 births in 2025, the largest annual rise in 15 years, pushing the fertility rate to 0.80 as the echo-boomer cohort (born 1991–1995) reaches peak childbearing age and marriage rates rebound post-Covid; however, the population still shrinks because deaths exceed births, and long-standing barriers like housing costs and childcare persist despite pro-natal policies. Figures are finalized in August.
Four years into the war, Leleka maternity hospital near Kyiv continues delivering babies, a symbol of resilience as Russian advances and bombardment persist. Parents describe childbirth in wartime as a patriotic act, while Ukraine’s birthrate has plunged (2,300 deliveries in 2020; 868 in 2022; 952 in 2023), contributing to a looming demographic crisis that could shrink the population from about 41 million to 30–32 million. The government has boosted incentives for new mothers, some who fled abroad have returned, and a new generation is being born despite insecurity, reflecting Ukraine’s resolve and the broader implications for Europe.
A South Korean official and head of Jindo County was expelled from the ruling Democratic Party after suggesting the country could 'import' young foreign women from Vietnam or Sri Lanka to boost the birth rate, a remark that drew diplomatic protests and public anger. The incident prompted apologies, formal apologies from the province, and planned rallies by migrant-rights activists while highlighting Korea's ongoing birth-rate crisis.
Many countries, including the U.S., are experiencing declining birthrates and aging populations, leading to potential demographic shifts and societal challenges in the future.
Women worldwide are having fewer children or opting out of parenthood, driven by increased freedom and economic independence, leading to concerns about aging populations and workforce shortages, especially in high-income countries. This trend, while beneficial for the environment, poses societal and economic challenges, prompting debates on policies to encourage higher fertility rates.
Vietnam has abolished its two-child policy to address declining birth rates and an aging population, after years of steadily decreasing fertility rates, which could impact its economic growth and demographic structure.
Facing a declining birthrate, Russia is targeting child-free lifestyles as part of its strategy to boost population growth. The government is implementing policies and campaigns to encourage families to have more children, viewing the trend of choosing not to have children as a demographic challenge.
Japan's birthrate has hit a record low, with 758,631 babies born in 2023, marking an 8th consecutive year of decline. The number of marriages also fell below half a million for the first time in 90 years. Younger Japanese are discouraged by job prospects, high living costs, and corporate cultures incompatible with parenting, leading to reluctance in starting families. Government officials warn of a "critical state" and propose measures, but experts doubt their effectiveness. Japan's population decline has significant implications for the economy and national security.
Japan's birthrate has fallen for the eighth consecutive year, reaching a record low in 2023, with the number of births dropping by 5.1% and marriages falling below 500,000 for the first time in 90 years. The government is considering unprecedented measures to address the declining birthrate, such as expanding childcare and promoting wage hikes for younger workers, as Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has called the situation the "gravest crisis" the country faces. Japan's population is projected to decline by about 30% to 87 million by 2070, with a significant portion of the population being aged 65 or older.
The declining birthrate among millennials in the US could lead to a significant drag on economic growth for the next decade or more, potentially reducing GDP by 1-2 percentage points each year. This trend, exacerbated by factors such as high living costs and existential uncertainties, may result in a shortage of workers, increased pressure on social security payments, and a need for cultural and policy shifts to encourage higher birth rates. If the trend continues, the economy could face challenges similar to those seen in countries like Japan, with potential long-term consequences for productivity and sustainability.
China's population has shrunk for the second consecutive year, posing a significant challenge for the government as it grapples with a demographic time bomb. The country's fertility rate and birth numbers have declined, leading to concerns about an aging workforce and future productivity. Efforts to encourage childbirth, including easing family planning rules and offering incentives, face obstacles such as changing attitudes among younger generations and economic slowdown. The demographic shift is also impacting China's international approach, with the country recognizing the need to adapt to a changing population structure.
China's population declined for the second consecutive year, with record-low births and a surge in Covid-19 deaths contributing to the drop. The birthrate of 6.39 per thousand was the lowest since 1949, and the number of deaths exceeded 11 million, the highest since 1974. Despite government efforts to encourage more births, including easing family planning policies, young people cite reasons such as work-life balance, high living costs, and traditional gender roles for their reluctance to have families. The declining and aging population has raised concerns about labor shortages and economic growth, prompting calls to raise the retirement age and develop a "silver economy" to cater to the needs of older people.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called on women to have more children to address the country's declining birthrate, which poses challenges to its economy heavily reliant on mobilized labor. The fertility rate in North Korea has steadily declined over the past decade, reaching 1.79 in 2022. The government has introduced benefits for families with three or more children, including housing arrangements, subsidies, and educational perks. Factors contributing to the declining birthrate include financial constraints, the influence of South Korean media, and the aftermath of a famine in the mid-1990s.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called on women to have more children to address the country's declining birthrate, which has been steadily decreasing for the past decade. The low birthrate is a concern for North Korea, as it relies on mobilized labor to support its struggling economy. South Korea's government estimates that North Korea's fertility rate was 1.79 in 2022, down from 1.88 in 2014. The decline in birthrate is attributed to factors such as economic challenges, limited childcare assistance, and a male-centered corporate culture. North Korea has introduced benefits for families with three or more children to incentivize childbirth.