Main content

A global baby bust: why are birth rates falling?

Birth rates are falling across much of the world. We look at why people are having fewer children and whether governments can reverse the trend.

Birth rates are falling across much of the world, raising questions about how economies will cope as populations age rapidly. Rob Young examines why people are having fewer children, from the financial pressures facing couples in the US to changing social attitudes. He also looks at government efforts to reverse the trend, including Finland's generous family support system and Hungary's costly incentives for larger families.

Presenter/producer: Rob Young

You can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.uk

(Picture: A newly born baby in a maternity ward at the Royal Gloucestershire Hospital in the UK. Credit: BBC)

Available now

17 minutes

Broadcasts

  • Monday07:32GMT
  • Monday14:32GMT

Podcast