Fertility is down. Not fertility in the sense of being able to conceive, but fertility rate.
Simply put: Women in developed nations are not having the number of babies they used to.
Sure, we’ve observed this. That “one and done” is on the rise. That the age for childbirth is increasing, so the time to have more babies is limited. That more and more women are seeking higher education, climbing the career trajectory, putting family life on hold.
We’ve observed this. But new data out of the US has confirmed it.
The number of babies being born per female in America is lower than it has ever been in recorded history.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), released on Tuesday, found the rate known as the ‘fertility rate’ (even though it’s not about biological fertility) has dropped more than 10 per cent since 2007 in the US. It’s currently at the lowest point it has ever been since recording started in 1909.
The rate is at 62.5 births per 1,000 women.
In Australia, the trend is the same. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics last year showed the average number of babies born per woman was at it’s lowest in 10 years. The national fertility rate is at 1.8 children per woman. In short, the fertility rate of developed nations is below replacement levels.
The pregnancy questions you were too afraid to ask. Post continues below video.
Part of this drop is that women are having children later in life. Between egg freezing and IVF, the age of first-time childbirth is rising, and the number of children per family is falling.
This falling fertility rate might seem like a win for the planet. Humans are working the Earth to the ground. Like guests that have overstayed our welcome; there is not enough space for all of us. Our endless procreation is leading to environmental issues, famine, poverty gaps, war, conflict, migration. It’s not sustainable.
Top Comments
Great injustices were committed in the name of population control. In the late 20th century, a variety of countries created "family planning programs" which mandated sterilization or even abortion (China) like in Peru, Brazil, India and Bangladesh. Minorities and women were frequently targeted. Economic development usually causes a great decline in birthrates
Basically, we just need to kill off all the people over 65.
Orrrrr get them to work longer to line the pockets of the already rich who are too scared that they'll lose their money with the lack of people having babies.
Seeya later Dad!!
*eye rolls*