Low fertility population refers to a demographic condition where the average number of children being born per woman is significantly below the replacement level, which is around 2.1 children per woman. This phenomenon is typically observed in countries or regions where the fertility rate has persistently fallen below this critical level for an extended period of time. Low fertility population is often associated with several socio-economic factors, including better access to education and employment opportunities for women, increased urbanization, and improved healthcare and family planning services.
The term "low fertility" highlights the decrease in procreation, indicating a potential decline in population growth and, in some cases, population decline if sustained over a long period. This trend can lead to various demographic challenges, such as an aging population, a shrinking workforce, and an increased dependency ratio where the elderly population outnumbers the working-age individuals. Consequently, it can strain public welfare systems, hinder economic development, and pose sustainability concerns for social security programs.
Understanding and addressing factors contributing to low fertility are essential for policymakers, as it can have significant implications for social and economic policies, labor markets, healthcare systems, and family structures. Governments may implement measures and incentives to encourage childbirth or to support work-life balance, such as parental leave policies, affordable childcare, and flexible working arrangements. Moreover, immigration policies or campaigns promoting larger families are sometimes considered to counteract the potential negative consequences of low fertility population.
