The UK - like most 'developed' countries - has a very low birthrate. Why is that?

19th May 2025

The whole of the West has a childbirth problem. We're not having enough children to replace ourselves.

Why is that?.

And what needs to change if the birthrate is to increase?

00:00 We have a problem with children
00:21 The reproduction issue
02:00 The dependency ratio
03:06 The child poverty issue
03:51 The politics of power and child poverty - the Thatcher years
04:33 Blair and child poverty
05:02 One in three children in poverty
05:39 The reaction of young people to poverty
05:66 Children and climate change
06:19 Childlessness and financial pressures
06:35 Childlessness and student debt.
06:59 Childlessness and pensions
07:18 Maternity and paternity provision
07:49 Childlessness and housing
08:22 State provision of childcare.
09:01 Childlessness and employment law.
09:09 Childlessness and the NHS
09:31 Childlessness and education
10:40 A system hostile to children

This may well be part of the reason why population numbers in Caithness and Sutherland is expected to fall significantly incoming decades. Inadequate maternity services does not help and despite Caithness Health Action Team campaigning for years the actions by Scottish Government and NHS Highland are seen as falling well short of what is required.

The Scottish Government has brought in some payment for children but in the face of the cost of living crisis it may be seen by potential parent as inadequate when deciding whether to have more children.