Finland’s baby shortage threatens welfare state
Birth rate at lowest level in nearly 150 years, well below the European average
The Finnish government is increasingly concerned about the country’s falling birth rate, which is at its lowest for nearly 150 years.
The number of babies being born has fallen steadily over the last six years and is now considerably lower than neighbouring Sweden and Norway and well below the European average.
In recent months, the birth rate has declined so sharply researchers have begun to question the accuracy of their data, Finland’s national broadcaster reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
If the trend continues for the remainder of the year, the number of births will drop below the 50,000 mark for the first time since a nationwide famine ended in 1868.
Finland’s minister for family affairs, Annika Saarikko, admitted that the government is alarmed by the statistics.
“One of the underlying factors that may be of importance is the general feeling of [economic] insecurity,” she told the Helsinki Times, citing the high cost of living in urban centres and uncertainties in the labour markets.
Demographics are a concern across the developed world, says Bloomberg, but they are “particularly problematic for countries with a generous welfare state, since they endanger its long-term survival”.
Heidi Schauman, chief economist at Aktia Bank in Helsinki, said the figures were concerning.
“They show how fast our society is changing, and we don’t have solutions ready to stop the development,” she said. “We have a large public sector and the system needs taxpayers in the future.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'There are benefits, but not acknowledging them would tell only half of the story'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
What Trump's win could mean for Big Tech
Talking Points The tech industry is bracing itself for Trump's second administration
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Europe roiled by attacks on Israeli soccer fans
Speed Read Israeli fans supporting the Maccabi Tel Aviv team clashed with pro-Palestinian protesters in 'antisemitic attacks,' Dutch authorities said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published