1. Japan
Japan’s population is aging rapidly. In fact, the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) — the average number of children born per woman over her lifetime — has been below 1.42 since 1961. That means Japan’s population is shrinking.
2. Italy
Italy’s TFR was just 1.38 in 2017. And while the Italian government doesn’t collect data on the number of abortions performed in the country, it’s estimated that about half of all pregnancies end in abortion.
3. Germany
Germany’s TFR is 1.36. But even though German women have fewer babies than their Japanese counterparts, they’re having them later in life. On average, mothers in Germany give birth at age 30.8 compared to 26.9 in Japan.
4. France
France’s TFR is 1,39. But the French don’t seem to mind. According to the World Bank, France has the highest percentage of people aged 65 years old or older out of any developed nation.
5. United States
The U.S. TFR is 1.85. But the country’s birthrate is actually declining. Between 2007 and 2016, the number of births fell by nearly 2 million. Meanwhile, the number of deaths rose by almost 800,000.
6. Russia
Russia’s TFR is 1-1.34. But Russian women aren’t having kids at the same pace as their Western counterparts. While Russia’s birthrate has increased since the early 1990s, it still lags behind that of many European countries.
7. China
China’s TFR is 1 – 1.24. But the Chinese government isn’t worried. It’s planning to increase its birthrate by encouraging couples to have more children.
