Across the world fertility rates are falling and for the first time Europe is experiencing a sustained population decline. The average fertility rate for the European Union is 1.53 live births per woman. In Italy the fertility rate has remained low for the last thirty years, with an average 1.3 births per woman.
Some governments, who are concerned that not enough people are being born to keep their economies functioning in the long term are spending billions on incentives and policies to try and reverse the trend. But even in the Nordic countries, which are noted for some of the best family focused policies, these are proving ineffective against a markedly high drop in fertility rates over the last decade.
Society’s attitudes on when or whether to start a family are shifting, so does this mean that we need to change the way we approach the issue or even adapt to a future with fewer people?
On this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking ‘Can Europe reverse its falling fertility rates?’
Contributors: Anna Rotkirch, Research Director, Population Research Institute, The Family Federation of Finland, Helsinki Michael Herrmann, Senior Advisor on Economics and Demography, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Turkey Arnstein Aassve, Professor of Demography, Political Science Centre, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy Tomas Sobotka, Deputy Director, Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences
Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Journalism Researcher: Matt Toulson Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producers: Nicky Edwards and Toby James Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey
Image Credit: PA via BBC Images
Who is country?
Are synthetic opioids a global problem?
How secure is Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership?
Are we close to a breakthrough for Multiple Sclerosis?
Is climate change impacting chocolate production?
Will neighbouring countries follow El Salvador's lead on crime?
Is our future underground?
Can Mexico win its battle with US gun companies?
What’s going on with the pyramids?
Who will be next to walk on the moon?
Are Ethiopians losing faith in their Orthodox Church?
Can the Vatican stop Nicaragua’s Catholic crackdown?
What does Iran want?
Can Indonesia pull off relocating its capital?
Why is the US Army struggling to recruit new soldiers?
Are orcas OK?
What’s going on with sargassum seaweed?
Has Toyota solved the electric car battery problem?
Is Venezuela about to invade its neighbour?
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Global News Podcast
Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4
The Infinite Monkey Cage
You’re Dead to Me
Elis James and John Robins