Can Europe reverse its falling fertility rates?

Across the world fertility rates are falling and for the first time Europe is experiencing a sustained population decline. The average fertility rate for the European Union is 1.53 live births per woman. In Italy the fertility rate has remained low for the last thirty years, with an average 1.3 births per woman. Some governments, who are concerned that not enough people are being born to keep their economies functioning in the long term are spending billions on incentives and policies to try and reverse the trend. But even in the Nordic countries, which are noted for some of the best family focused policies, these are proving ineffective against a markedly high drop in fertility rates over the last decade. Society’s attitudes on when or whether to start a family are shifting, so does this mean that we need to change the way we approach the issue or even adapt to a future with fewer people? On this week’s Inquiry, we’re asking ‘Can Europe reverse its falling fertility rates?’ Contributors:

Anna Rotkirch, Research Director, Population Research Institute, The Family Federation of Finland, Helsinki

Michael Herrmann, Senior Advisor on Economics and Demography, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Turkey

Arnstein Aassve, Professor of Demography, Political Science Centre, Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Tomas Sobotka, Deputy Director, Vienna Institute of Demography, Austrian Academy of Sciences Presenter: Charmaine Cozier

Producer: Jill Collins

Journalism Researcher: Matt Toulson

Editor: Tara McDermott

Technical Producers: Nicky Edwards and Toby James

Production Co-ordinator: Liam Morrey Image Credit: PA via BBC Images