The U.S., along with many other postindustrial nations such as Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, is grappling with declining birth rates. These countries have tried various policies to boost their birthrates, including financial incentives, free childcare, and even matchmaking efforts, but with limited success.
The primary concern with this demographic trend is the potential for fewer young people to support an aging population, which could lead to economic challenges in the future. In 2023, President Trump emphasized the need for a “baby boom,” signaling the administration’s interest in reversing this trend through policy measures aimed at increasing the birthrate.
Pronatalism, as defined by Lyman Stone of the Institute for Family Studies, refers to the support of higher birth rates. It reflects a belief that declining fertility is a negative trend, particularly in nations where fertility rates have fallen significantly, like the U.S.
The concern is that American women, on average, desire around 2.2 to 2.3 children but are only having about 1.6, leaving a gap in expected family size. Stone argues that the consequences of falling fertility go beyond economic challenges, with deeper societal implications regarding family structures and future generations.
Addressing Housing Affordability and Social Factors to Combat Declining Fertility Rates
According to Stone, the primary factor behind the decline in fertility rates is not just economic but also social. The biggest issue is a delay in marriage or, in some cases, a complete avoidance of it. This trend is closely linked to housing affordability, with young people less likely to marry if they cannot afford suitable homes to raise families. Stone suggests that addressing the housing crisis by building more affordable family homes could help reverse this decline, alongside policies that support childbearing.
Amid Falling Birthrates, U.S. Weighs Pronatalist Policies to Support Families and Future Generations
The Trump administration is considering several policies to address the declining birthrate, including offering $5,000 for every new baby born and implementing government-funded programs to educate women on fertility awareness. Stone supports a variety of proposals, particularly larger child tax credits, which he believes are essential in encouraging families to have more children.
However, he also emphasizes the importance of education on fertility, pointing out that current sex education tends to focus more on contraception than on helping people understand how to conceive when they are ready.
Immigration Alone Won’t Solve Declining Fertility; Focus Needed on Family Formation and Support
While immigrants typically have higher birth rates than native-born populations, Stone argues that immigration alone cannot solve the problem of declining fertility. The issue lies within the broader society, where both natives and immigrants are having fewer children than they desire. Stone supports higher legal immigration but stresses that this doesn’t address the underlying issue of family formation, which remains crucial to reversing the trend of falling birthrates.
The pronatalist movement has attracted supporters from various ideological backgrounds, including some controversial figures associated with white supremacy. Stone, however, rejects these extremist views, highlighting that most pronatalists are not aligned with far-right ideologies.
He emphasizes that promoting higher birth rates should be about supporting family life and societal well-being rather than advancing divisive or discriminatory agendas. Additionally, Stone addresses the concerns of young people who fear overpopulation and environmental decline, stressing that the real challenge lies in addressing global issues like climate change and pollution to ensure a sustainable future for upcoming generations.
