Argentina’s birth rate has plummeted nearly 40% over the past decade, reaching a record low in 2023 with significant implications for the country’s demographics and future.
Argentina is witnessing a significant decline in its birth rate, which has dropped nearly 40% in the past decade, hitting the lowest level seen in over 50 years by 2023. According to recent statistics from the Ministry of Health, the country recorded 460,902 births this year, representing a 7% decrease from 2022 and a staggering 41% drop from 2014’s peak of 777,012 births.
The crude birth rate for 2023 stands at 9.9 births per 1,000 inhabitants, a figure that aligns Argentina’s statistics with those of several European nations. A report from Austral University highlights that the national fertility rate now sits at 1.4 children per woman, substantially below the generational replacement threshold. If this trend continues, the country may face a number of demographic challenges, including an aging population and a potential decline in total population.
Over the decades, there have been shifts in household dynamics; the percentage of households without children under 18 has climbed from 44% in 1991 to 57% in 2022. Additionally, the number of single-person households has risen to 25% from just 13% during the same period. Meanwhile, single-parent households, predominantly led by women, have also seen ongoing increases.
President Javier Milei has openly expressed his concern regarding the falling birth rate, linking it to the legalization of abortion in 2020 among other liberal policies. During his campaign, Milei vowed to repeal the abortion law and even suggested the possibility of a referendum to gauge public opinion on the issue. However, this matter has yet to appear on the administration’s agenda. Amidst efforts to cut public spending, the administration has limited the distribution of contraceptives and dismantled sexual health programs, handing that responsibility over to provincial governments. In a striking contrast, legal abortions have surged from 73,000 in 2021 to over 107,000 in 2023.
Experts, however, argue that attributing the birth rate decline solely to abortion laws is an oversimplification. They point to a multitude of socio-economic factors, such as soaring inflation, job insecurity, and prohibitive living costs, which compel many couples to delay or even reject parenthood altogether. As a consequence, the average age of first-time parents has risen to between 30 and 34 years, reflecting a growing emphasis on education and career advancement.
The trend is particularly pronounced among mothers: births among those with lower educational attainment have plummeted by 77% since 2005, while mothers with higher education show declines of 13% and 7%, respectively. A survey from consulting firm “Sentimientos Públicos” indicates that 20% of individuals under 30 do not wish to have children, focusing instead on other priorities. In contrast, this number drops to 11% among millennials aged 30 to 44 years; economic reasons are cited by 10% of this group.
The continuing drop in both birth and fertility rates is indicative of broader demographic changes in Argentina. Notably, the population aging index has escalated from 29 in 1991 to a projected 60.55 in 2025, and the percentage of individuals aged 85 and older has doubled over the past two decades. These shifts raise significant questions and challenges for the healthcare system, educational institutions, the pension framework, and the overall economy.
In summary, Argentina’s birth rate is in a steep decline, reaching historic lows influenced by a complex interplay of sociocultural and economic factors. With key statistics revealing demographic shifts, the challenges for the country’s future public systems and economic structures are becoming increasingly apparent.
Original Source: www.upi.com
