Science Vs Birth Rates: Are We Running Out of Babies??
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Oct 16, 2025 The discussion dives into the global decline in birth rates and whether it's a looming crisis. Experts highlight South Korea's strikingly low fertility rate due to cultural shifts. They explore the societal impacts of fewer children, such as school closures and financial strains. Creative solutions are proposed, including how influential figures might inspire baby booms. Policies like expanded parental leave and accessible childcare are debated as ways to boost birth rates. Ultimately, finding a solution is complex and multifaceted.
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Worldwide Fertility Is Declining
- Total fertility rates are falling almost everywhere and have been for decades.
- The global rate was 2.2 in 2024, slightly above the 2.1 replacement level but trending downward toward a mid-century peak then decline.
Gender Role Mismatch Lowers Birth Rates
- Rapid increases in women's education and workforce participation can lower marriage and birth rates if domestic roles don't change.
- South Korea's swift economic and gender-role shifts drove a sharp fertility collapse because institutions didn't adapt to dual-earner families.
Korea's Shockingly Low Rate
- South Korea's 2024 total fertility rate was reported at 0.75, an unprecedented low.
- Prof. Jisoo Hwang described it as a number Koreans now know from constant news coverage.