2024-11-11
26 分钟The proportion of people without children is growing around the world. For some, this new reality reflects changing social attitudes and a desire not to have children, but for others, the decision has been taken out of their hands by a range of factors. The latest statistics available reflect the extent to which this has become a global phenomenon: while the US birth rate is at a record low, China reported its first population decline in six decades in 2022. The BBC’s population correspondent Stephanie Hegarty tells host Lucy Hockings that economic concerns are among the most important when it comes to individuals and couples deciding whether or not the time is right to have a baby, and discusses how the concept of “male malaise” is impacting fertility rates. The Global Story brings you trusted insights from BBC journalists worldwide. We want your ideas, stories and experiences to help us understand and tell #TheGlobalStory. Email us at theglobalstory@bbc.com You can also message us or leave a voice note via WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480. Producers: Tom Kavanagh, Laurie Kalus and Mariana Hernández Carrillo Sound engineer: Phil Bull Assistant editor: Sergi Forcada Freixas
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Hello, I'm Lucy Hockings from the BBC World Service.
This is the Global story.
The global population is growing and it's not expected to peak until well into the second half of this century.
But the number of children people are having is actually decreasing around the world.
From a persistent cost of living crisis to the rapid cultural change of this hyper digital era, the factors fueling this trend aren't so easy to define.
As more and more countries see their population age, some fear that unsustainable pressure will mount on the critical social infrastructure which holds communities together.
So is it possible to plan ahead to limit the impact of falling fertility rates?
And could we find ways to benefit from it long term?
With me Today is the BBC's population correspondent, Stephanie Hegarty.
Hi, Stephanie.
Hi.
Thanks for having me.
You've been studying population trends for a long time now.