Sourced fact
The News
According to France 24, a sharp decline in birth rates is being observed in the Middle East and North Africa region. France 24 states that most women are now having fewer than three children, compared with an average of seven or eight children that was prevalent in the 1970s.
Analysis & context
Analysis & Context
Analytically, this significant drop in birth rates across the Middle East and North Africa reflects deep and sustained transformations over decades. These changes can be traced to several interwoven factors, including rising living costs and a decline in job opportunities for women, as well as increased awareness of reproductive health and the preference for smaller families as a sustainable option. Historically, the Middle East and North Africa region experienced increasing births driven by strong population growth during the post-World War II era, continuing until mid-century. However, birth rates began to gradually decline in the 1980s and 1990s due to evolving economic, social, and cultural factors.
In a broader context, this trend represents part of a wider global movement towards declining birth rates and fewer children per woman – often referred to as the “demographic slump.” This trend has significant implications for economies, labor markets, and welfare systems around the world.
