Global birth rates are falling…phones are a big reason why

26. mai 2026 · 11m

In more than two-thirds of the world, the average number of children born to each woman has fallen below the “replacement rate”. Employment, home ownership and education are still big factors. But increasingly, so are mobile phones.


Mentioned in this podcast:

Why birth rates are falling everywhere all at once

Credit: The Columbus Dispatch


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Today’s FT News Briefing was hosted by Victoria Craig, and produced by Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Sam Giovinco. Additional help from Gavin Kallmann. Our executive producer is Topher Forhecz. Flo Phillips is the FT’s Global Head of Audio. The show’s theme music is by Metaphor Music. 


Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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FT News Briefing

Global birth rates are falling…phones are a big reason why

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