The global fertility freefall: trends, drivers and uncertainties

Tomáš Sobotka

Research

4 Pages

One of the top demographer finds “he current fertility ‘freefall’ is more widespread, deeper and more permanent than previously anticipated.”

Key Takeaways

Extreme global fertility contraction: Over 2 billion people currently reside in regions where total fertility has plummeted below 1.3.
Sub replacement levels reached: Over 50% of the global population lives in nations with fertility rates at or below 2.1.
Economic shocks accelerate declines: The 2008 financial crisis acted as a watershed moment that permanently shifted populations toward lower reproductive preferences.
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