Social attitudes towards the family and children need to be reshaped if we want to address sharply declining birth rates and the increasing phenomenon of unplanned childlessness, a major new report [1] from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) says.
States need to promote policies that promote family formation, the report [1] says while also emphasising the positive role of religion on fertility rates, which is something a new research paper [2] from The Iona Institute addresses.
The report titled “Demographic Change in the OSCE Region: Analysis, Impact and Possible Solutions of a Mega Trend Reshaping Society” was presented last week when the Parliamentary Assembly of the OSCE met in Vienna.
Authored by Dr. Gudrun Kugler, who is the Special Representative on Demographic Change and Security, the report addresses the pressing issue of demographic shifts among the 57 state members of the OSCE.
In almost all OSCE countries, including Ireland, fertility rates are below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, leading to long-term economic and social challenges, particularly for pension systems and healthcare infrastructure.
Migration partially offsets population decline but, according to the report, “governments should avoid relying on mass migration as the primary solution to labour shortages, as this can contribute to brain drain, destabilization in countries of origin, integration challenges, and the emergence of new inequalities and social tensions in recipient societies”.
The document notes that in countries such as India, Bangladesh, and much of East and Southeast Asia, birth rates are already below replacement. Africa is going in the same direction even if fertility rates in sub-Saharan Africa remain well above replacement level for now.
Declining birth rates around the world means that the supply of potential migrants will decline soon and eventually, countries will run out of potential immigrants to sustain their aging economies. This is why a recent Guardian report [3] projecting high immigration into Europe as a way of addressing population ageing and decline is overoptimistic. It is extremely unlikely that immigration into Europe will remain as high as it is now for another 75 years until the end of the century.
The document proposes a series of solutions, notably emphasising the pivotal roles of family and religion in counteracting declining birth rates and unplanned childlessness.
The first recommendation is for the establishment of dedicated research centres and the allocation of resources to study demographic trends. “Which personal choices might be more likely to lead to childlessness should be researched and be part of educational curricula”, the document suggests. This foundational knowledge is deemed essential for formulating effective policies and interventions.
The second set of recommendations regards cultural and societal shifts. “A broad cultural transformation is needed to create an environment that supports family formation and its stability over time, child rearing, and work-life balance. This includes fostering positive attitudes towards parenthood, marriage, and family life, emphasizing the value of stability in family structures”, the report remarks, “Public perceptions and social policies should avoid stigmatizing stay-at-home parents and should work towards increasing the social prestige of having children, family life and parental involvement.”
The report also advocates for financial incentives for families, including direct tax benefits, pension bonuses for parents, and reductions in the costs of child-rearing.
Finally, the OCSE document highlights the significant influence of religious communities in promoting family values.
“Religion plays a significant role in family values, and research shows that people with faith adherences tend to have higher birth rates. A balanced approach that respects religious beliefs and supports family life can help create a more inclusive society. Governments must recognize the positive impact that religious institutions can have on family stability and uphold freedom of religion.”, the report says.
Beyond addressing fertility issues, the document acknowledges the challenge of an ageing population and promotes policies that encourage older individuals to remain active in the workforce and community, so that they are less dependent on the younger generations.