Women in Switzerland are having fewer children than ever before, and this phenomenon could have dire consequences on the country’s future.
In 2024, the average number of children per woman in Switzerland was 1.29.
This is the lowest level since records began to be kept in 1860, according to new data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
“In recent years, the desire to have children has significantly decreased among 20 to 29-year-olds,” the FSO reported. “While 6 percent of them did not want children in 2013, this figure rose to 17 percent in 2023.
And among 30 to 39-year-olds, the number of people not wishing to have children increased from 9 to 16 percent over the same period.
What else did the FSO find?
In recent years, it is primarily the births of third children that have declined.
First births decreased by 8.5 percent and second births by 9.0 percent.
But the sharpest drop (13.6 percent) was observed among third births.
And even though the two-child family model remains ideal for many young people, the desire for children is decreasing overall, according to the FSO.
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How can this downward trend be explained?
Several factors play a role, the study indicated.
Among them is a concern about the mother’s career prospects, as well as fears that the parents’ lifestyle would take a hit with a child’s arrival.
“In 2023, 41 percent of 20 to 39-year-olds believed that a child (or another child) would positively impact their quality of life, while 21 percent feared a negative impact. In terms of career prospects, 51 percent expected negative consequences,” the study found.
The financial aspect of having a child is also an important decisive factor for more than half of 20 to 39-year-olds, along with sharing of domestic tasks and the division of childcare duties between parents.
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What are the consequences of a falling birth rate?
While the impact is not going to be immediate, it will be felt down the road – assuming the low birth rate will continue.
Specifically, we can expect to be faced with a shrinking workforce, causing labour shortages that will be even more dire than currently.
As a result of this development, future generations can expect economic stagnation, caused by lower productivity.
And fewer people working also means lower tax revenue and less contributions to the social insurance scheme.
