For many years, it was believed that growing prosperity would reduce fertility. However, recent studies show that this relationship no longer works as clearly as it once did. In some middle-income countries—such as Thailand and Colombia—fertility is already lower than in several developed countries. And in the period from 2017 to 2021, richer European countries more often showed higher demographic indicators.
Before the Industrial Revolution, well-off families typically had more children. Today, this trend may be returning: by 2060, experts expect rich countries to lead in fertility rates. One particularly notable shift is in the gender component: in countries like the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United States, the likelihood of having a child is higher in families where both parents have high income. This challenges the established view that women’s careers slow down demography.
The study emphasizes that it is not income that prevents families from having children, but the lack of support infrastructure. Removing these barriers could make it possible to increase fertility regardless of income levels.
