In 2024, the global fertility rate has reached historically low levels, with several countries facing significant demographic challenges. With fewer children being born, concerns have arisen that there may soon be "too few" people to sustain economies.

The fertility rate refers to the average number of children born to a woman of childbearing age in a given country. Women between the ages of 15 and 45 are generally considered to be of childbearing age.

Among the countries with the lowest rates are Taiwan and South Korea, both with a rate of 1.1 children per woman, followed closely by Singapore, Ukraine and Hong Kong, with rates of 1.2 children per woman.

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/the-20-countries-with-the-lowest-fertility-rates-in-2024/

Declining fertility raises concerns about the economic and social future of these nations. With an aging population and a declining labor force, governments are seeking innovative solutions to maintain demographic balance and ensure economic growth.

Several countries are implementing a number of strategies to counteract low birth rates. South Korea, for example, has begun allowing families to hire foreign nannies. Japan, meanwhile, has earmarked up to 3.6 trillion yen (US$ 22.3 billion) annually in efforts to reverse this situation.

In Europe, countries such as Italy and Spain also face low fertility rates, with 1.3 children per woman. This trend is observed in other regions such as North America, where Puerto Rico and Montserrat show similar figures. Even in Africa, Mauritius stands out with a rate of 1.4 children per woman.

As for Chile, the fertility rate in 2024 is 1,593 children per woman, which represents a decrease of 0.31% compared to the previous year.. Although it is not among the countries with the lowest rates, Chile continues to experience a downward trend in its fertility rate, similar to many other developed countries.

Low fertility not only affects the population structure, but also has profound implications for the economy and society. Family-friendly policies, economic incentives and the integration of advanced technologies are some of the measures that these countries are adopting to address this challenge.

Check Statista's statistics HERE.