Fertility rates are falling across developed economies, emerging markets and low- and middle-income countries, with childbearing below the level needed to maintain population stability now widespread. Around 132 million babies are born worldwide each year, compared with a peak of roughly 142 million in the early 2010s.
The global total fertility rate fell from 5 births per woman in 1950 to 2.25 in 2024. It declined further in 2024 and 2025. Replacement-level fertility is 2.1 children per woman, the rate associated with population stability without migration. The global rate is projected to fall below that threshold by the late 2040s, possibly sooner.
Recent birth totals have also come in below expectations. In 37 countries, births were about 1.65 million lower than projected by the UN, a shortfall of 9.3%.
Asia's fertility rate fell to 1.9 in 2024, placing the region below replacement level. One prosperous country in Asia recorded a total fertility rate of 0.87 in 2025, a record low. Its rate had been 0.97 in 2024 and 1.24 a decade ago.
South Korea's rate remains around 0.8, among the lowest in the world. Korea has the lowest total fertility rate among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, at 0.7 children per woman. Japan has reported a tenth consecutive annual decline in births.
Across the OECD, total fertility rates averaged 1.46 in 2024. Italy, Japan, Lithuania and Spain each recorded 1.2 children per woman. Israel had the highest rate in the group, at 2.8 children per woman.
Europe is also recording fewer births and lower fertility. The European Union recorded 3.55 million babies born in 2024, compared with 6.8 million in 1964. Its fertility rate fell to a record low of 1.34 children per woman.
England and Wales recorded a total fertility rate of 1.39 in 2025, their lowest on record. The figure was well below the 2.1 threshold needed for population stability without migration. Within England and Wales, the City of London recorded a fertility rate of 0.37 children per woman in 2025, the lowest in the area.
Latin America and the Caribbean have been below replacement fertility since 2015. The region's total fertility rate reached 1.8 children per woman in 2024. Chile's rate fell to 0.99 live births per woman in 2025, the first time it had dropped below one birth per woman.
Chile's annual births declined from 275,916 in 1993 to 146,446 in 2025, a 46.9% reduction. The available data point to declines across countries at different stages of economic development. The steepest falls are occurring in low- and middle-income countries and among poorer, less-educated women.
The figures establish the scale of the shift, though they do not identify why fertility has fallen in individual countries. They also leave open whether lower rates reflect delayed childbearing, smaller intended families or other changes. The shortfall against UN projections indicates that demographic forecasts may be struggling to keep pace with the decline.
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