State of the World from NPR Encore: Why is Chile’s Birth Rate Plummeting?
Nov 28, 2025
Explore the fascinating reasons behind Chile's plunging birth rate, diving into personal stories that reveal the impact of economic pressures on family size. Young women share their choice to delay or forgo motherhood, valuing freedom and autonomy over traditional roles. Government officials discuss the rise of women in the workforce and its demographic implications, while the near-eradication of teen pregnancy highlights shifting societal norms. Discover how migration plays a vital role in the population landscape amidst a call for renewed emphasis on motherhood.
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Choices Shaped By Cost
- Marisol Romero wanted five children but had two because life is expensive.
- She accepts her choice and now enjoys her grandchildren as smaller families feel normal.
Rapid Fertility Drop Threatens Systems
- Chile's total fertility rate has plunged to about one child per woman, lower than many wealthy nations.
- Sociologist Martina Yopo-Diaz warns this rapid drop threatens pensions, labor markets, and social systems built on replacement generations.
Young Women Reject Motherhood
- Art students Florencia Contreras (23) and Macarena Lagos (19) say they do not want kids, calling motherhood a burden.
- They view having children as a loss of freedom and autonomy over their lives and bodies.