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nitpicked

(1,264 posts)
Tue Jun 10, 2025, 04:04 AM Tuesday

World fertility rates in 'unprecedented decline', UN says

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clynq459wxgo

(snip)

The agency has taken its strongest line yet on fertility decline, warning that hundreds of millions of people are not able to have the number of children they want, citing the prohibitive cost of parenthood and the lack of a suitable partner as some of the reasons.

UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people in 14 countries about their fertility intentions. One in five said they haven't had or expect they won't have their desired number of children.
(snip)

The countries surveyed - South Korea, Thailand, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, US, India, Indonesia, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria - account for a third of the global population.

"The world has begun an unprecedented decline in fertility rates," says Dr Natalia Kanem, head of UNFPA. "Most people surveyed want two or more children. Fertility rates are falling in large part because many feel unable to create the families they want. And that is the real crisis," she says.
(snip)
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RockRaven

(17,360 posts)
1. The world has plenty of humans on it. Fewer would be a bunch of personal tragedies
Tue Jun 10, 2025, 04:18 AM
Tuesday

(due to unmet personal preferences) but not any threat to the species. There is a buffer of several billions before that sort of worry is warranted.

The whole premise of the article is that people's wants (whether purely rational or historically contingent expectations) are conflicting with reality.

Um... Yeah... Well, welcome to the world. It is always like this here.

 

Nonnia Bisnez

(90 posts)
4. We're headed to a global demographic crisis.
Tue Jun 10, 2025, 06:30 AM
Tuesday

Too many old people and not enough young people. Fortunately for us, there is a solution for the USA. Dare I say what it is? Immigration!

nitpicked

(1,264 posts)
5. One example may be a precursor for the future
Tue Jun 10, 2025, 07:40 AM
Tuesday

I know someone whose home helper finally got qualified to draw Social Security (and is old enough to get the 70+ pay once it starts coming).

Yes, it's an immigrant, but I suspect that more SS beneficiaries at full retirement age and beyond (and maybe those not there yet) may wind up doing elder (and other) care, especially if SS benefits get cut in the future.

nitpicked

(1,264 posts)
6. And let's not forget about the high schools with community service requirements
Tue Jun 10, 2025, 07:53 AM
Tuesday

Help may be wanted at home or senior living facilities...

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