Factors in Declining Birth Rate

Where did all the babies go? As societies across the globe modernize, there seems to be a decline in birthrates. With a world population of now over 7 billion, you may not have noticed. There are, however, many countries with zero to negative population growth. With birth rates affecting everything from public policy to state budgeting, decline can have a great impact on a society.

What exactly is a birth rate anyway? Birth rate is the rate of births in a population over a period. Birth rate is typically calculated using live birth counts from a universal system of registration and population census. The number of births per 1,000 of the total population is calculated this way: births/total population x 1,000. This is commonly referred to as a crude birth rate given that it takes into account total population rather than just women of childbearing age.

Some countries have sought to decrease birth rates, take China’s one-child policy for example. Other countries have sought to increase rates by giving support to new parents, as well as financial incentives. According to CIA’s World Factbook, Niger is now number 1 in births per 1,000 of the population, while countries like Germany and Japan have moved further down the list.

Birth rates can vary drastically from country to country. Many factors have been considered, but there is no one answer to the declining birth rates. In more technologically advanced societies, the family unit has become weaker. With access to the internet and its abundance of social networking opportunities, the need to be surrounded by a large family has dwindled.

Families may choose to have fewer children in order to provide the children they do have with better opportunities. Often having a large family is just not financially conceivable. With all the birth control options now available, parents have that choice. Career choices could be another reason for declining birth rates. Career goals are often put before a growing family. Societies tend to hold career women in higher esteem these days over those who choose to stay at home with their children.

The influx of technology in many countries has also brought a shift of independence. Some want the freedom to move about and do their own thing rather than be tied to raising children. It is a lot of responsibility for which some acknowledge they are just not ready. Countries like Germany that have given out many governmental incentives still have low birth rates. Other countries, like the United States, receive fewer incentives, yet have higher rates. Exactly why this is we may never know.

Whether it comes down to some internal drive to be a parent, societal expectations, religious influence, or governmental policies, no one seems completely sure. It is likely that a combination of factors are responsible. It is indeed something to ponder.