The population of Finland is ageing fast and worries about climate change and the war nearby are having an impact on the willingness to reproduce, according to a survey published by the Family Federation of Finland on Thursday.
Some 15% of people between the age of 20 and 45 do not wish to have children the survey reported. That percentage has not changed much over the past few years. The motivation behind this reason is mainly the same; people want to prolong their youth and continue to study, grow and prioritise their careers, and wait for an ideal financial situation and partner.
However, the Family Federation of Finland’s study found new motives. An increasing number of possible parents are worried about the climate crisis and its impact on future generations. Also, the Ukraine war has had a two-way, divisive effect. For some, it has proved to be an argument for not having children while, for others, it has functioned as an incentive.
The population of Finland is currently the second oldest in Europe, after Italy. A shrinking labour force has had economic consequences and the issue is Europe-wide.
According to the Demographic Outlook for the EU, 30.3% of Europeans will be at least 65 years old by 2070. Recently, in 2019 that percentage was much lower, 20.3%. Eurostat predicts that the EU-27 population will peak at 525 million in 2044, before declining to 416.1 million by 2100.
(Pekka Vänttinen | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
