Went to see a screening for a documentary about the growing problem of the decline of fertility across the world.

Some statistics presented:

- United Nations estimates that if current trends continue, by 2050 there will be 248 million fewer children under the age of 5 then there are today.

- Russia’s population is dropping by 700,000 people a year. If present trends continue it is estimated that in 43 years they will lose over one-half of their population.

Another factor that stuck with me from the documentary was that one of the main causes of this decline is the weakening of the institution of marriage. Fewer people are getting married and instead choosing co-habitation, the ones that are getting married are doing it later, then even that number are having few if any children and later. The research shows that in order to replace the current population each woman needs to have at least 2.1 children. The current rate in Europe is 1.3, and its only going down.

It was interesting to me because this is something I have been discussing and been interested in for a while and to hear that there is research being done on this subject was very fascinating to me.