There is growing concern about declining fertility rates across many Western nations. This trend has significant social, economic, and demographic implications. Here’s an overview of the situation:

Many Western countries have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, which is needed to maintain a stable population without having to resort to using immigration. For example, countries like Italy, Spain, and Japan (although not Western but often included in discussions of advanced economies) have some of the lowest fertility rates, often around or below 1.5 children per woman. Both the US and the UK have also been falling significantly in the last few decades to 1.6 in 2023.

As fertility rates are declining, the proportion of older individuals in the population increases, leading to an ageing population. This shift results in a higher dependency on the fewer working-age people that are required to support a growing number of retirees.

The high costs of living, expensive housing, and economic uncertainty that we are all experiencing makes it especially difficult for young people to afford to raise children. In many Western countries, economic insecurity, particularly among younger generations, has been a significant factor in declining birth rates. However, radical changes to the social norms, including the rise of young people being brainwashed into believing that we are all gender fluid, that child terminations are a a simple fix to suit their lives, as well as being told the sanctity of marriage and family is worth nothing, all contributes to lower fertility. Young people, therefore, are choosing in many cases to have no children at all.

Some governments have introduced policies to encourage higher birth rates, such as paid parental leave, child allowances, and subsidies for childcare. However, the effectiveness of these policies are limited. Some countries rely on immigration to offset the declining birth rates and to try to maintain population growth and economic stability. However, this can also lead to social and political problems. If we take the United States as an example, immigration is expected to be a significant driver of U.S. population growth.

While the birth rate among the U.S.-born population is declining, the makeup of the United States by 2050 will greatly contrast that of the early 2000’s. 47% of the population will be non-Hispanic whites, 29% will be Hispanics, and 5% of the population will be of Asian descent. The black population will remain approximately the same in number from 2005, during which it made up 13% of the population. (source)

In the long term, the declining native-born fertility rates will lead to significant social changes, including shifts in family structures, community breakdown and cultural differences that may never be reversed. Many western countries are already seeing a huge change within many communities, leaving them unrecognisable to what they were even just a decade ago.

The Social welfare systems are funded by the current workforce’s contributions. A declining birth rate would see fewer workers able to support the growing number of retirees, potentially leading to funding shortfalls, unless governments wake up to this emergency now.

Similar to social security, pension systems might face sustainability challenges. Without enough younger workers contributing to these systems, there could be a need for some harsh reforms, such as raising the retirement age, increasing taxes, or reducing benefits. A declining birth rate would mean fewer workers to support the growing number of retirees, potentially leading to funding shortfalls unless reforms are made now.

The changing demographic in the US, as with all western nations, driven by a huge influx of undocumented immigrants, could lead to shifts in national identity, cultural norms, as well as the future political landscape. This might also influence fierce debates around multiculturalism, integration, and national cohesion. Also as the population ages, the political landscape may shift towards issues that are more pertinent to older adults, such as healthcare, pensions, and taxation policies. The needs and priorities of younger generations may receive less focus.

Younger populations tend to drive innovation and technological advancement. A smaller young population might lead to reduced creativity and fewer technological breakthroughs, which could impact long-term productivity and economic competitiveness. With fewer young consumers, markets may shift towards products and services tailored to the older population. This could change the nature of consumer demand and the types of industries that thrive. Rural areas would also be more significantly impacted by declining birth rates, leading to further urbanisation as young people move to cities for opportunities. This could exacerbate the challenges faced by rural communities, such as declining services and an economic nightmare, turning smaller communities into ghost towns.

Population size is often correlated with global influence. The US currently has a over 2 million serving military, which creates safety and stability both nationally and across the globe, but with a shrinking population, not only does it raise domestic risk from outside terrorism, but it could affect the country’s geopolitical power and influence in the eyes of other nations. Falling birth rates in the US could lead to profound economic, social, and political changes. Addressing these challenges would require a strong approach from strong leaders, not afraid to face these tough challenges head on with the haste needed to begin to reverse this decline.

The more immigration that is accepted by western nations in order to ease the immediate gaps in the workforce, the more native populations are replaced over time, and people are brainwashed into thinking they have a moral responsibility to accept unbridled numbers of anyone who manages to corrupt their national borders. In 2023 alone, illegal migrants to the US topped 2 million, How can the citizens of any nation contain and absorb these high levels in such a short time, while simultaneously not being encouraged to have future generations of their own.

Having children is obviously a huge responsibility, however, being a parent is the most natural gift given to any one of us, and western countries need to be showing that being part of a loving, caring family is literally at the heart of any nation, without which, it would inevitably cause the end of empires.