Which Are The Top 10 Countries With Lowest Birth Rates? Know Where India Ranks

Lowest Birth Rates:  Population has always been a point of concern in world affairs. Especially for countries like India and China, which have significantly larger populations. The high population means more manpower. However, it also comes with a challenge of increased demand for resources like food, jobs, education and many more. In the same way, the low birth rates have their own set of challenges and benefits. Like, low birth rates will result in the usage of more resources per person, but will also reduce the nation's overall economic activity. To know more, here’s a list of the top 10 countries with the lowest birth rates in the world.

List Of Top 10 Countries With Lowest Birth Rates: 

Source: United Nations World Fertility Report 2024

Which Country Has The Lowest Birth Rate In The World?

1. Macao, China

Macao has the lowest birth rate in the world. Macao is a Special Administrative Region of China, where urbanisation, a high standard of living, and a gaming and tourist-oriented labour market are on the rise. However, these factors also result in increased property prices and a career-oriented lifestyle, which is a major cause of low birth rates.

2. Hong Kong, China

Hong Kong has the second-lowest birth rate in the world. All due to urbanisation and costly livelihood. The strong work ethic of the area and long working hours provide little time for domestic life. Public policy and restricted childcare are also part of the problem.

3. South Korea

South Korea has witnessed one of the fastest falling birth rates in world history, even after numerous government schemes. Excessive educational fees, work-related stress, and gender disparities in family responsibilities have made family planning difficult among young South Koreans.

4. Taiwan, China

Taiwan has expensive housing, educational competition, and unstable jobs, which all result in low birth The hustle of dual-income and lack of social support networks has resulted in delayed or even avoidance of family-building.

5. Singapore, Asia

In Singapore, people are mainly career-orien, and on top of that, the costly city life, along with modern influenchasave transformed people’s fertility choices. Despite government subsidies for families and child care, the birth rate here is still below replacement level, which showcases more general shifts in values in the overall population.

6. Ukraine, Europe

After East Asian countries, Ukraine has the worst birth rate in the world. Economic insecurity, emigration, and war have taken a toll on the population of the nation. Future uncertainty has resulted in young couples being away from having children.

Also Read: Top 10 Countries With The Highest Employment Rate: Know Where India Stands

7. China

Even after abandoning its one-child policy, China experiences chronically low birth rates. Urbanisation, postponed weddings, expensive childcare, and changing social values towards family have made it difficult for the nation to regain its population growth.

8. Malta, Europe

This tiny Mediterranean country, Malta, has witnessed a drop in its birth rate due to delayed marriages, increased cost of living, and career factors.

9. Thailand, Asia

Thailand has seen a significant shift from high to extremely low birth rates in just a few decades. Urbanisation, evolving family forms, and extensive access to education and contraception are all major factors behind this drastic population change.

10. Italy, Europe

Italy's birth rate has been low for some years now. Economic strain, high youth unemployment, and the difficulty of balancing professional careers with family life are some of the major reasons for the low birth rate. Additionally, the rise of the ageing population and decrease in workforce and social support systems are also contributing to the decline due to dropping birth rates.

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Where Does India Rank On The List Of Countries With The Lowest Birth Rates?

Currently, India has a total fertility rate of 1.96, which represents a steady decline from its 1994 statistics of around 3.72. India is still the most populated country in the world. However, low fertility rates, low death rates, and better healthcare have resulted in a stagnant population with a steady increase. India has been witnessing high birth rates for decades, which has led to an increase in the population of people of reproductive age. This has resulted in births remaining high, even in the context of declining fertility rates. Additionally, India is expected to reach 1.75 total fertility rate.

The list of the lowest Fertility rates highlights common issues lik, urbanisation, economic stress, changing sociocultural values, and uncertainty about the future. Policymakers in each of these countries have to deal with the consequences about declining workforces to growing age strains.