Argentina's birth rate plummets to record low

[peppertree]

Data released yesterday by the Argentine Health Ministry confirms that the country's birth rate plummeted to record lows in 2020.

The Health Information and Statistics Directorate (DEIS) reported than in 2020, 533,299 births were recorded in the country of 45 million - a 14.7% decline, and the lowest yearly figure since 1968.

This record yearly decline left the country's birth rate at 11.8 per 1,000 people - or an estimated 1.6 children over an average woman's lifetime.

This is roughly half the rates prevailing in Argentina from the 1930s through the 1980s.

Approaching zero population growth

As in many other countries, Argentine birth rates fell in 2020 largely as a result of the economic impact from the early months of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - which in Argentina saw GDP plummet by 10%.

But the country's birth rate had already declined by 22% (to 13.9 per 1,000) during former President Mauricio Macri's 2015-19 tenure - a period known for its "Macrisis."

And despite an economic rebound of 10.3% in 2021, data from early 2021 for Buenos Aires suggests that births may have fallen a further 8-10% nationwide last year.

The pandemic likewise saw a rise in deaths of 10.1% in 2020, to 376,219 - the sharpest increase since a 1957 polio epidemic, and at 8.3 per 1,000 the highest rate since 1984.

This left the country's natural increase for 2020 at 157,080 - the smallest figure since 1921, and at 3.5 per 1,000 the lowest rate on record.

A near-halt in immigration - compared to an average of over 80,000 annually in recent years - likewise left total population growth in 2020 at its slowest since World War I.

At: https://www.americaeconomia.com/politica-sociedad/tasa-de-natalidad-cae-25-en-buenos-aires-tras-la-llegada-del-covid-19

Musicians entertain toddlers at a labor union day care center in Buenos Aires.

Despite numerous pregnancy and maternity benefits, Argentine births fell by a record 14.7% in 2020 amid a Covid-related recession that year that hit Argentina especially hard.

Long home to one of Latin America's lowest birth rates, the sharp decline in natality in Argentina - by around a third since 2015 - may present both social benefits and challenges to economic growth in the coming decades.

[Judi Lynn]

1. The only people who aren't positively impacted by low birth rate are racists.

They tremble in their boots over the thought of losing their numerical dominance over the Native citizens in the countries their ancestors subjugated and razed.

My opinion of the Argentine people just increased in reading the original article. Long after this devastating pandemic has subdued, the benefits to the world will increased by any and all cultures which have practised a level of moderation in daily life which hasn't made a burden of their time upon the earth.

Very cool, in every sense. Admirable.

Thank you. ⭐️

[peppertree]

2. I agree: lower birth rates have long been a key part of the development puzzle for 3rd world nations

And many developing nations have had some real success in that regard since 1970 or so.

Back then, the 3rd world averaged around 6 children per woman (meaning the average mother was having close to 7 children - given that the 'average' includes women who never have children for one reason or another).

Now (excluding China), they're averaging close to 3 children - with the above caveat. That's helped ease severe poverty tremendously in many countries (can you imagine if their birth rates had stayed at 1960s levels!?).

That said, progress has been much slower in Africa - with the consequential societal collapse and sporadic civil wars that, more often than not, are triggered over fights over resources.

Such is the world. But it's getting better, all in all - and will continue to do so (knock wood).

Thanks again for your insights, Judi.