Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The latest UNFPA State of World Population report reveals that population ageing and declining fertility are widespread, with about one in five adults worldwide expecting to have fewer children than they desire due to economic and social factors.
Michael Herrmann, UNFPA economist and demographer, emphasizes that demographic change is not a crisis but a reality requiring understanding, planning, and adaptation. He promotes demographic resilience, helping societies anticipate and adapt to shifts by optimizing human potential. This approach applies to countries regardless of whether populations are growing, shrinking, or ageing.
In nations with ageing populations, a shrinking workforce is a notable effect. While some governments have raised retirement ages, Herrmann suggests this can be simplistic. He recommends flexible employment for older adults, such as part-time or less demanding roles, to maintain workforce engagement and ease pension pressures.
On low fertility rates, governments may offer cash bonuses, tax breaks, or set fertility targets. However, evidence suggests these measures usually have limited and short-term effects, mainly altering the timing—not the total number—of children. The UNFPA’s Youth Reproductive Choices Survey seeks to understand why people have fewer children than desired, highlighting high housing and childcare costs, insecure employment, and economic uncertainty as key factors.
This research shows that economic and social challenges shape demographic trends and that adaptive policies are vital for managing population changes without undermining economic stability.