The birth rate per woman in OECD countries has roughly halved.
The baby-making business amongst countries part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has significantly dwindled over the past six decades. Women used to pop out an average of 3.3 babies each, back in 1960, but now just about 1.5 offspring per woman in 2022, as per a report released by the OECD on Thursday. The OECD issued a warning, citing potential severe economic and societal repercussions from the low birth rates.
The OECD suggested that a population would stay steady with 2.1 kids per woman. They stated that the decreasing rate could lead to an expanding elderly population, a smaller labor force, and increased government expenditures for pensions and healthcare.
In Germany, women were reportedly birthing around 2.4 babies in 1960. Fast-forward to 2022, and the average dropped to approximately 1.5 children. The lowest rate was back in the mid-1990s, with 1.2 babies per woman. The OECD attributed this to a baby bust in Eastern Germany following reunification. The OECD noted that South Korea had a particularly low birth rate, with women delivering an average of 0.7 babies over the previous year.
As per OECD data, women are now waiting longer to become mommies. In 2000, the average age when women gave birth was 28.6 years. By 2022, that average increased to 30.9 years. In Germany, the average age went up from 28.8 to 31.4 years in the same time frame.
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The decrease in the birth rate per woman in OECD member countries has brought them significantly closer to the suggested replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman, highlighted by the OECD. This change has led to concerns about potential long-term economic and societal consequences, such as an aging population and a shrinking workforce. In Germany, for instance, the birth rate has dropped from 2.4 children per woman in 1960 to approximately 1.5 children in 2022.
