It's time to talk
As birth rates fall across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, populations are ageing, leaving countries to ask themselves – why are birth rates in decline? How did we get to this point? And what can we do now?
It’s time to talk about the economic, social, and societal impacts of declining fertility rates and delve into what is driving this decline. This will provide opportunities to explore policy solutions that support people who want to have children.
Why Fertility Counts
In the last 60 years, total fertility rate has fallen from 5.4 to 1.8 children per woman in the APAC region1
Birth rates have hit historic lows in the region and many populations are ageing rapidly2
Impacts of delayed childbearing include age-related fertility decline, higher infertility rates, more miscarriages and complications in pregnancy1
Socioeconomic implications include less support for the elderly and a lower working-age population to support the economy1
Implementation of policies, such as improved access to childcare, can contribute to a more family-friendly environment for those wanting to build families1
Media and Publications
Explore the latest news from the Fertility Counts campaign and stay up to date with our latest news.
News Release
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Merck Launch Global Initiative, Fertility Counts, to Address Falling Birth Rates in APAC Region
Mar 9, 2023
Merck, a leading science and technology company, today launched a new global initiative, Fertility Counts, that assesses the social, economic, and societal impacts of declining birth rates within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
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Publications
1. The Economist Group (2023) . Fertility policy and practice: a Toolkit for the Asia-Pacific region.
2. The Economist Group. The only way is up: Making Taiwan a better place to have a family.
