A dark cloud of disaster is hovering over Canada. This was recently revealed by Statistics Canada on September 25, 2024, when it reported Canada’s birth rate of 1.2 children per woman of childbearing age. The replacement level required to maintain the population is 2.1 children. Canada has failed to reach the replacement level in population since 1971.
Canada has now joined the low fertility countries in the world, which include Italy (1.25), Japan (1.2), and South Korea (0.72). Even China, which instituted a one-child policy in 1980 to prevent overpopulation, is now desperately trying to increase the birth rate, panicking because its current birth rate is only 1.8 children. The European Union, Latin America, and even Africa are also experiencing decline in their birth rates. Africa, at one time known for its high birth rate, is experiencing far lower birth rates. This is due to the fact that the West is funding NGOs that are pressuring Africans, claiming that “Contraceptive growth is economic growth” because high fertility supposedly impedes economic advancement. A further reason for the decrease in population in Africa is caused by the fact that many African states are dependent on Western foreign aid, which requires that African countries provide abortion, contraception, and sex education programs as a condition of receiving the aid.
However, it has been shown that increased population leads to increased consumption and innovation. This occurred during the Industrial Revolution and following the Civil War in the US.
Factors Causing a Decline in Birth Rates
The trend to lower births began in the late 1960s and the early 1970s with the development of the contraceptive pill, and the popularity of the “playboy” philosophy, which promoted promiscuous sex without consequences. These developments caused traditional marriage and raising a family to lose their allure in a secular, materialistic world, where sexual pleasure without responsibilities became a driving force. Mainstream media and feminists strongly supported this, claiming that uncommitted sex “empowers women”. The Internet and the development of the smart phone in 1992 made this concept appealing for young men and women, who suddenly had a wide assortment of contacts with whom to become sexually active. Many women also chose to remain single seeking financial independence in a career which became their first priority. At the same time, fewer men regarded marriage as an advantage, due to the risk of losing assets in now readily accessible divorce. The internet also provided men and women with easily accessible pornography for sexual gratification rather than the alternative of becoming entangled with another human being. This factor also led to the decline in marriage which lowered the birth rate.
Mainstream Protestant denominations, as well as the post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church, must also bear responsibility for failing to keep the culture of marriage and family alive. Eager to make a rapprochement with modernity, many Protestant Churches have adapted their beliefs and practices to accommodate the secular world. Further, the modern Catholic Church has often turned a blind eye to divorce and provides an easy use of annulments. In addition, the Catholic Church seems to ignore the widespread use of contraception, since the clergy fail to speak about it, even though it is contrary to Catholic teaching.
Other Factors Contributing to a Declining Birth Rate
The declining birth rate is also a result of other factors. According to an Angus Reed poll, dated October 10, 2024, 1,300 Canadians were asked whether they planned to have children, and if not, why not? The poll indicated that 21% definitely planned to have children, and that 32% said they may have children but were delaying longer than they ideally would like to because of the economic instability. The poll also indicated that 37% did not want any children at all because of economic concerns caused by a weak economy, high unemployment, and a lack of housing. A further 40% indicated they had not found a suitable partner with whom to have children.
Countries Scrambling to Increase the Birth Rate
Many countries are scrambling to find solutions to the low birth rate by providing a remarkably varied list of economic incentives to encourage marriage and parenthood. For example, Hungary and France have eliminated income tax after the birth of a fourth child. Italy has devoted $1 billion toward measures that include increased financial aid to working mothers with two or more children, increased government funding for daycare facilities, extended parental leave, and increased tax breaks in order to allow families to keep more of their income. Finland and Hungary have offered low mortgages for first-time homeowners, and long maternity leave with generous benefits. Hungary offers a car after the birth of a third child. Some countries, such as Russia, Hungary, and China are placing restrictions on abortion and are providing, instead, support for women to carry out their pregnancies.
Although these initiatives have been helpful, they have not been sufficient to significantly raise the birth rate. Indeed, Japan has served as a 30-year laboratory of providing economic incentives for this purpose. In 1989, Japan was an unstoppable economic force, until the 1990s when its economy suffered decades of stagnation. Starting in 1990 Japan began implementing policies to increase the fertility rate. However, these policies did not succeed in their objective. Instead, what resulted was a continued aging population and fewer workers in the labour force. Japan has now lost its vitality and vigour and is no longer an economic heavy weight in the world.
The Effect of Low Birth Rates
The difficulty with low fertility is that economic growth depends on productivity and the size of the workforce. Lower population growth results in lower economic expansion and strains the country’s ability to fund critical programs like social security and servicing the national debt. Fewer people also restrict the building and repairing of infrastructure, like highways, schools, railroads, and bridges. The decline impacts public services, such as health care, education, unemployment benefits, etc.
A Possible Solution to the Problem
In solving the problem of a low birth rate, it may be useful to examine Israel, which has the highest birth rate in the industrial world. There are several reasons for this. One reason appears to be the religiosity of the Israeli people. Ultra orthodox Jews, who make up only 8% of the population, triple the birthrate of secular Jews. Religion also plays a large role in Israeli culture. The majority of the population, including most secular Jews, continues to observe numerous religious practices which, in turn, shape their values and family life. It seems that secular Jews engaging regularly in religious practices indicates that these practices are an integral part of their culture. One of the most striking examples of this cultural phenomenon is the Jewish Shabat, which lasts from sunset every Friday until nightfall the following day. The Jewish Shabat is usually held in the home, where, without TV and Internet, families gather to spend undistracted time together, singing, eating, speaking, and praying.
This phenomenon of family time also occurs with religious Mormons, who also dedicate one evening a week (usually Monday) for undistracted family time – no cell phones or TVs. This family time seems to provide the children with a sense of belonging and security, which helps to stabilize them. Large Jewish (and Mormon) families appear to be rooted in their intensely pro-family religious and cultural traditions. The family is regarded as a very worthwhile and significant institution. One other factor contributing to Israel’s high birth rate is the fact that there is a strong sense of “Jewish identity”, which has enormous impact on Israel’s attitudes toward childbearing. Strong family ties make individuals feel connected to their past and present and provides a shared interest in the future. This is a possible reason why well educated, professional women in Israel, such as scientists, physicians, and lawyers, have large families, a phenomenon which does not occur anywhere else.
Russia’s Interest in the Family
Russia’s low birth rate has been a consistent concern for its government for many years. The former Communist Soviet Union spread the notion that the family was a capitalist, social construct that hindered the ability of the government to reach common social goals. Due to the desperate situation regarding the lack of births, Russia decided to solve its population problem by promoting the family, which the government now insists is the bedrock of society. Russia is supported in this endeavor by the Russian Orthodox Church, which actively endorses this policy. TV programming, government advertisements, and school programs are promoting the advantages and benefits of marriage and children.
This approach to family has led to the surprising development at the UN on September 22-23, 2024, when diplomats from Russia attended the General Assembly on the “Summit of the Future”. During negotiations, Russian diplomats delayed the proceedings, insisting that “the family” be included in the official outcome document. They explained that “the family” is an umbrella term that must be used, rather than “families”, which Western countries argued include multiple types, such as LGBT, polyamory (three or more adults as family), or any other desired arrangement. Several delegations at the General Assembly, from Africa and Asia, including China, supported the Russian position on the interpretation of family.
A Needed Cultural Change
Positive cultural change in support of marriage between a man and a woman and the raising of children can be achieved, although it will not come easily in our present secular culture. Nonetheless, it is a proven solution to increasing the birth rate and providing for our country’s future security.