This Week in CQ Researcher

Declining Birthrates by Sarah Glazer, November 21, 2008
Will the trend worsen global economic woes?

Nations around the globe worry that low or falling birthrates will cause severe economic problems, including shortages of workers to pay into social security systems to support growing numbers of retirees. The United States is exceptional among major industrialized Western nations because its birthrate produces enough children to maintain the population as elderly people die. Most of Europe as well as Japan and China are well below population replacement levels.

The current global economic downturn could worsen the situation by forcing young couples to postpone having children until the economy improves. Meanwhile, governments are discussing possible solutions, such as cutting spending on the elderly, requiring workers to stay on the job longer before drawing benefits and offering cash bonuses to families to encourage them to have more children.

• Will today’s low birthrates cause economic problems?
• Are falling birthrates good for the environment?
• Should government policies to increase birthrates be implemented?

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