Declining birth rates have direct and significant impact on population size and structure
The world fertility rate decreased from 3.2 in 1990 to 2.5 in 2019, and almost half of the world’s population now lives in a country where the total fertility rate is below replacement.
As such, country populations are subject to significant imbalances in structure and size. This presents many countries across the APAC region with the challenge of maintaining economic growth despite a declining work force, and further balancing the needs of an ageing society1.
Wide-reaching effects on all parts of society
We often talk about this issue in isolation, thinking only about whether a population is growing or shrinking. But these trends have inescapable wide-reaching effects on all parts of society – the economy, the healthcare system, and even how we care for our elderly. With fewer children being born and life-expectancy for the elderly increasing, some countries will be faced with an inverted age structure which will require significant social change1.
Current generations have more opportunities for education, work and personal development than ever before. They can plan their lives and when to become parents. How do we protect and grow these opportunities while also addressing declining populations? What does it really mean to be living in a shrinking society, and what will our countries look like if these trends continue?
That’s why Fertility Counts was created.
Fertility Policy Toolkit
The Fertility Policy Toolkit – developed by Economist Impact – deep dives into the fertility landscape in the Asia-Pacific region, analysing global data to assess which policy interventions are most effective at creating family-friendly societies that encourage sustainable growth. Because the data shows us that a country’s population growth is multifaceted, determined not just by health policies that enable healthy babies and families, but also by public policies that enable economic growth and social security. So let’s start creating solutions that reflect that.
We will add further research and resources to this conversation as we move forward together, which will be included as they become available.
We hope the resources throughout this website will support discussions, ignite change, and show that fertility really does count.
1. The Economist Group (2023) . Fertility policy and practice: a Toolkit for the Asia-Pacific region.
