Birth dearth

Neologism referring to falling fertility rates

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Main articles: Population decline and Sub-replacement fertility

Birth dearth was coined by Ben J. Wattenberg in his 1987 book Birth Dearth. This term refers to the declining fertility rates observed in many modern industrialized nations. It is often cited as a response to overpopulation. Countries and geographic regions that are currently experiencing declining populations include Europe, Russia, South Korea, and Spain. Populations of people of these descents in other countries, such as the United States, are also being impacted.

## Russia

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Russia is often mentioned in articles concerning birth dearth because of its rapidly declining population and the proposal by Vladimir Putin to offer women additional benefits for having more children. Should current trends continue, Russia's population will be an estimated 111 million in 2050, compared with 147 million in 2000, according to the United Nations World Population Prospects report (2004 Revision, medium variant).

## Europe

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Main article: Aging of Europe

Europe is one of the major geographic regions expected to decline in population in the coming years. Europe's population is forecast to decline by nearly 70 million people by 2050,[1] as the total fertility rate has remained perpetually below the replacement rate.[2] (Further information: Sub-replacement fertility and Population decline)

## Spain

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* Spain is also facing a declining population, contributing to discussions about birth dearth.
* The country's population decline has raised concerns about its future demographic makeup.
* Specific policies and initiatives may be needed to address the declining fertility rates in Spain and mitigate the impact of birth dearth.

## South Korea

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* South Korea is experiencing a decline in its population, aligning with the concept of birth dearth.
* Similar to other nations, South Korea's declining fertility rates are leading to discussions about the potential long-term consequences.
* Efforts to address these demographic challenges, such as policy changes or incentives, may be necessary to counteract the effects of birth dearth in South Korea.

## See also

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* Aging of Europe
* Aging of Japan
* Antinatalism
* Demographic transition
* Human extinction
* Natalism
* Only child
* Population ageing
* Population control
* Population decline
* Reproductive rights
* Tax on childlessness (Roman Jus trium liberorum, Romanian Decree 770) such as Bachelor tax

## References

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1. ^ "Population of Europe, History plus Forecast". International Futures. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
2. ^ "Total Fertility Rate of Europe, History plus Forecast". International Futures. Retrieved 2013-08-04.

## Further reading

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* Lewis-Kraus, Gideon, "The End of Children: Birth rates are crashing around the world. What does that mean for our future?", The New Yorker, 3 March 2025, pp. 28–36, 38–41. "A population will be stable if it reproduces at the 'replacement rate,' or about 2.1 babies per mother.... [D]eclining [human] fertility is a near-universal phenomenon.... Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, has said that her country is 'destined to disappear.' One Japanese economist runs a conceptual clock that counts down to his country's final child: the current readout is January 5, 2720. [p. 28.] South Korea has a fertility rate of 0.7. This is the lowest rate of any nation in the world. It may be the lowest in recorded history. If that trajectory holds, each successive generation will be a third the size of its predecessor. Every hundred contemporary Koreans of childbearing age will produce... about twelve grandchildren." (p. 30.)

## External links

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* "Birth Dearth", Michael Meyer, Newsweek, September 27, 2004
* "Behind the Birth Dearth", Robert J. Samuelson, The Washington Post, May 24, 2006

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