Germany's population declined by 110,000 in 2025 due to low birth rates. Fuel prices dropped near pre-war levels amid potential US-Iran peace talks. Chancellor Merz presented Donald Trump with a German World Cup jersey at the G7 summit.
Germany's population decreased by approximately 110,000 people in 2025, marking the first calendar-year reduction since 2020. The decline is attributed to a lower birth rate and reduced net migration, with the aging population and a shrinking primary tax-paying demographic highlighted.
France faces a significant demographic shift with an aging population and declining birth rate projected by 2070. New data from Insee and COR highlight the urgent need to address these changes, which will impact the economy and society.
Hong Kong's HK$20,000 newborn baby bonus, launched in 2023, is set to expire in October. The government will consult the public on whether to continue the incentive, which has benefited over 65,000 babies and cost HK$1.3 billion.
Research by economist Caitlin Myers suggests smartphones, introduced in 2007, may explain 1/3 to 1/2 of the 22% decline in U.S. birth rates since 2007, citing reduced in-person interaction and increased access to contraceptive information and pornography.
Taiwan's total population decreased by over 100,000 year-on-year to 23.25 million by May, with only 6,832 births in May, a near historic low. Legislator Chen Ching-hui criticized the Ministry of Health and Welfare for unpreparedness and evasion of legislative responsibility regarding the "Taiwan Future Account" bill, essential for addressing the declining birth rate.
Japan's child population (under 15) has fallen to a historic low of 13.29 million, down 350,000 from last year. This decline, linked to falling birth rates and fewer marriages, now represents only 10.8% of the total population, a stark contrast to 35.1% in 1950.
Spain's demographic outlook is grim, with a record-low birth rate, high life expectancy, and delayed emancipation. Projections for 2062 show a large centenarian population, straining pension systems and economic productivity.
India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped to 1.9, below replacement level, according to new SRS data. While national averages show a decline, significant regional disparities persist, with states like Bihar still having high fertility rates. The data also highlights shifts in birth order, reduced infant mortality but persistent dangers in the first week of life, and a concerning gap in medical attention at the time of death.
TFC Taipei Fertility Center founder Tseng Chi-jui argues high housing prices are the main reason for Taiwan's low birth rate. He proposes a "housing for all" policy, inspired by "land to the tiller," to ensure young people can afford homes, save, start families, and raise children.
China's Ministry of Finance has allocated 99.9 billion yuan for 2026 childcare subsidies, a 10.6% increase, to encourage births amid a record low birth rate of 5.63 per thousand in 2025. The subsidies, part of a national scheme, support children under three.
Declining birth rates in England are causing school closures, with nearly 30% of pupils in closed schools having special educational needs (SEN), compared to 20% nationally. This trend disproportionately impacts SEN students, raising concerns about future provision and support.
Estonia's population is projected to halve by 2100 due to declining birth rates and balanced migration. Researchers warn that a significant influx of immigrants to maintain population levels could make native Estonians a minority, particularly among the youth.
India's total fertility rate has dropped to 1.9, below the replacement level of 2.1, with most states now having fewer than 2.1 children per woman. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh remain above the mark, while Delhi has the lowest rate. The working-age population is growing, but the elderly population is also increasing.
Paris is experiencing a decline in families due to high housing costs, leading to a low fertility rate of 1.25 children per woman. Le Figaro interviews families about their reasons for living in the city and their hopes for change.
SpaceX filed for a historic IPO, despite significant losses, aiming to revolutionize mobile communications. Meanwhile, resistance to data centers grows, and a theory suggests smartphones and 5G may be linked to declining birth rates.
In Italy, where birth rates are at historic lows, 6.6 million people aged 18-49 have given up on having desired children, primarily due to economic and work-related issues, according to Istat.
A survey of 10,000 Australian parents reveals nearly 60% are experiencing psychological distress, impacting their children. Experts link this to the record-low birth rate and call for societal and governmental support beyond community programs.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei urged Iranians to increase birth rates for the country's future strategic advancements. Iran, with 92 million people, faces a declining fertility rate, dropping from 6.5 in 1979 to 1.7 in 2024.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei urged Iranians to increase birth rates, shifting focus from war rhetoric. This comes as Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on Iran to make concessions in negotiations with the US to end the regional war and halt its nuclear program.
An expert argues that blaming smartphones for declining global birth rates is an oversimplification, citing urbanization, economic instability, and changing women's roles as more significant factors. While smartphone use and falling birth rates coincide, they are not causally linked.
Global birth rates are declining at a record pace, with researchers linking heavy smartphone and social media use, alongside weaker face-to-face relationships, to the trend. The Financial Times reported that birth rates dropped sharply in multiple countries after widespread smartphone adoption.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is urging a focus on increasing the state's population, viewing children as national assets. He announced financial incentives, offering Rs 30,000 for a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth, to counter declining birth rates and an aging demographic. This policy aims to address a significant demographic shift.
