'Staggering' fall in fertility rates

MORE than three in four countries may see their population shrink by the middle of the century due to a "staggering" fall in fertility rates, a study suggests.

- Nilima Marshall

And by the year 2100, more than 97% of the world's nations - 198 out of 204 - won't be having enough children to sustain their populations over time.

Researchers predict in Western Europe, the total fertility rate - the average number of children born to women of childbearing age will be 1.44 in 2050 and 1.37 in 2100.

Shrinking

In the UK, the rate was already 1.49 in 2021, well below the 2.1 children needed to maintain a steady population.