Finland’s baby shortage threatens welfare state

Birth rate at lowest level in nearly 150 years, well below the European average

Finnish baby
(Image credit: Sari Gustafsson/AFP/Getty Images)

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.

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