Malta’s Fertility Rate Expected To Decline Further, Global Study Reveals
A study conducted by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation based in the United States has shed light on Malta’s demographic future which according to the research isn’t looking very bright when it comes to the island nation’s fertility rate. According to the study, Malta’s already low fertility rate is anticipated to continue shrinking.
Drawing data from 204 countries, researchers analysed birth rates, mortality rates, and factors influencing fertility to project the trajectory of global population growth. Alarmingly, the study predicts that by 2050, the populations of three-quarters of all countries, including Malta, will experience a decline.
The research highlights the critical importance of fertility rates in sustaining population levels. With Malta’s fertility rate in 2021 recorded at 1.53 births per woman, the study forecasts a further decrease to 1.39 by 2050 and a significant drop to 1.26 by the end of the century. This downward trend poses significant challenges for demographic sustainability, as countries require a fertility rate of 2.1 births per woman to maintain population levels.
Malta’s demographic landscape has experienced shifts over the decades, with fertility rates plummeting from 4.04 births per woman in 1950 to 1.53 in 2021. This decline places Malta at the forefront of Europe’s lowest fertility rates, a trend reflected in neighboring countries such as Spain, England, and Portugal.
The study’s findings have far-reaching implications, noting the potential economic and societal consequences of declining fertility rates. Ageing populations and dwindling workforces in higher-income countries, coupled with a disproportionate share of births in economically disadvantaged regions, pose significant challenges for global demographics.
While the study points out the urgency of addressing declining fertility rates, experts caution against over reliance on projections. Limitations in data availability, particularly in developing nations, underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of demographic trends and their implications.
To address the coming demographic crisis, the study advocates for proactive measures to incentivise population growth. Governments are urged to implement policies that support family planning, childcare, and work-life balance to encourage higher birth rates and mitigate the adverse effects of declining fertility.
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