Hong Kong recorded under 30,000 births annually for the first time on record, dropping 15.6% year-on-year to 29,700, while overall population rose by 0.3% to over 7.5 million by mid-2026.
Islington, a north London borough, faces one of the country's lowest fertility rates, with mothers older on average. High costs for housing and childcare, coupled with career focus, are driving families out, posing an "existential challenge" for London, a trend seen globally.
Japan's pet care market is experiencing significant growth, with companies like Lucky Industries and Unicharm pivoting from baby products to pet supplies. This trend is driven by declining birth rates and an increasing number of people treating pets as family members.
Vietnam's new Population Law, effective July 1, introduces subsidies and extended maternity/paternity leave to encourage more births. Despite these measures, the country faces a declining fertility rate and a rapidly aging population, raising concerns about economic growth and social support systems.
Hong Kong political parties are urging the government to allow unmarried women access to assisted reproductive services and extend the newborn baby bonus. The New People's Party proposed a progressive bonus for families with multiple children, citing a historic low in registered births.
Trip.com cofounder James Liang warns that declining populations in "super-aged" Asian nations, including China, Japan, and South Korea, threaten innovation and could lead to a loss of control over AI. He advocates for extensive pro-family policies, including significant GDP spending, and increased male involvement in child-rearing to reverse the trend.
Russia promotes 'traditional values' through church-state initiatives like family days to combat a declining birth rate, exacerbated by war casualties and emigration. Despite official campaigns, high divorce rates and falling marriage levels highlight a disconnect with reality.
Vietnam is implementing new incentives, including cash bonuses and housing priority, to encourage couples to have more children and combat a declining fertility rate, aiming to sustain its export boom.
Russia is promoting 'traditional values' through a state-church partnership to combat a "catastrophic" birth rate decline, exacerbated by war casualties and emigration. Official holidays and media campaigns emphasize family and childbearing, contrasting with Western ideas and aiming to secure national survival.
Taiwan is extending mandatory reserve training from 7 to 14 days, incorporating drone and HIMARS training, to address troop shortages driven by a declining birth rate and increased pressure from China. The reforms aim to bolster defense capabilities.
India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen to 1.9 children per woman, below the replacement level of 2.1, according to the SRS Statistical Report 2024. This demographic shift, driven by increased education, career aspirations, and later marriages for women, marks a transition from concerns about overpopulation to managing a declining birth rate and an aging population.
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.
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.
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.
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.
