Finland Also Fails to Halt Declining Birthrate, By Mrs Vera West
Across the West, and now East Asia, including South Korea, Japan and China, the net reproduction ratio is well below replacement. South Korea has spent billions to try and increase the birthrate, but to no avail. The same problem faces Finland as well. Finland, once a leader in balancing work and family life, is experiencing a sharp decline in birth rates despite generous social policies. The country's fertility rate fell to 1.32 children per woman in 2022, reflecting a broader trend across Europe and other wealthy nations like the U.S. and Japan. Factors contributing to Finland's decline include shifting societal priorities, delayed parenthood due to career ambitions, and a growing number of single adults struggling to find compatible partners.
Despite efforts such as extended parental leave and immigration policies, Finland faces challenges in sustaining its welfare system as its population ages. The debate over declining birth rates has become politicized, with conservative voices advocating for pro-natalist policies. However, many Finns prioritize personal fulfillment over traditional family structures, making long-term demographic recovery uncertain.
As in the rest of the West, the traditional nuclear family structure is no longer accepted as the norm, and with it goes the security of an institution for having and nurturing children. With that goes depopulation and the inevitable crash of civilisation.
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