Income Levels: Birth Rate

income levels: Countries need a fertility rate of 2.1-2.2 if population is to be kept stable, according to Global Times China. Although 2.5 is the global average, this number has halved dramatically in the past 50 years and more countries fall below 2 and even 1.5. South Korea made headlines recently after the government data showed the total fertility rate fell to 0.98 in 2018. Birth rate in Japan has hit its lowest level since records began in 1899, as stagnant income levels, long work hours, fierce competition and rising consumption tax only make the financial burden greater and thus, make it less attractive for couples to start a family. The struggle will stay, so will the adverse effects of low birth rates, which has led to a shrinking work force, and strained retirement and social services for the elderly. Sure Japan is handing out cash incentives as well as other programs such as dating services and proposed paternity leave, but improvement takes time. (news.financializer.com). As reported in the news.