Birth rates in Belarus and Europe were in the spotlight during the program “Main Broadcast” on TV “Belarus 1” aired on December 15, 2024.
The broadcast featured economic expert Aleksey Kushch stating, “Their birth rate is significantly lower than their death rate; nations are gradually dying out and aging.”
Host Yevgeny Belousov added, “Against this backdrop, our country stands out sharply. We do have our problems, of course; no one is denying that. However, the Belarusian model of supporting families and encouraging birth rates is proving effective today. <...> In these circumstances, having children isn’t daunting, as every family receives strong support from the state. Perhaps the Anglo-Saxons in Britain are faring better? Yes and no. They’re facing the same challenges as everyone else. The birth rate is at its lowest level in recorded history.”
Those claims were supported by quotes from British blogger Chris Williamson, who previously stated: “Last year, 591,000 children were born in England and Wales, the lowest number since records began. This is the lowest recorded birth rate ever. The fertility rate stands at 1.44.”
Indeed, 2023 marked another record low for birth rates in England and Wales, a trend impacting nearly all of Europe.
The most recent publicly announced birth rate data for Belarus is from 2019. Five years ago, the rate was 1.38, indicating that each woman averaged fewer than two children. This figure was the lowest among all countries in the Eurasian Union, especially when compared to EU countries’ figures for the same year, most of which were higher.
Since then, the birth rate in Belarus may have declined even further. This is supported by statements from Belarusian officials:
“We are witnessing an annual decline in birth rates of approximately 10% in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. We anticipate the same 10% drop in 2023,” as it was stated by Elena Goshkevich, deputy director for obstetrics and gynecology at the National Research and Practical Center “Mother and Child,” during a CTV broadcast on October 2, 2023.
