Across the globe, families are having far fewer children than they did just a few decades ago. Since the 1970s, the average number of births per family has dropped by more than half, United Nations data shows.
In wealthier nations like the United States, smaller families have become the norm, populations are growing older, and, in many major economies, they’re beginning to shrink. Experts warn this shift could bring big changes: longer working lives before retirement, tighter labor markets for businesses, and mounting pressure on eldercare and health systems. What once seemed like a private choice is now a global challenge.
Behind the numbers are stories of families and unexpected consequences. Click through the following gallery to see how this worldwide trend is unfolding.