Browsing: baby bust

Fertility rates in ASEAN nations are plunging, with half the region already facing a ‘baby bust’ – a situation where there are insufficient children to maintain the population size. The total fertility rate (TFR), an indicator of population growth, has tumbled from 5.5 in 1970 to 2.11 in 2017, according to data from the World Bank. A dwindling youth population could spell dire economic consequences for the region. The shift from quantity to quality, increased urbanisation, and a surge in women seeking higher education and career opportunities are amongst the reasons behind the steep decline.