Economics

Topic updates

Demographics and Potential Growth - British ‘baby shortage’ could lead to economic decline

21st September 2021

The Social Market Foundation is playing the long game here, arguing that a declining birth rate is imperilling the UK's long-term prosperity.

They argue that low birth rates imply a shrinking supply-side and little prospect of sustained growth in future.

We've embedded a selection of social media reaction below.

📉📈 Should the UK Government explore 'pronatalist' policies to address the declining birth rate?

📕 In a new report, @aveek18 & @ScottCorfe weigh up the evidence for/against state support for helping those who wish to have (more) children to do so.https://t.co/vLBGz2bKD2
— Social Market Foundation (@SMFthinktank) September 20, 2021

Britain is facing a 'baby shortage' that could lead to long-term economic stagnation, with only 1.58 children per woman in 2020, well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to keep the population rate stable #population #geography https://t.co/ZE0IWkvW3H
— RGS-IBG Schools (@RGS_IBGschools) September 20, 2021

Hmm, I wonder if the spiralling cost of housing, stagnant wage growth, looming climate emergency and extortionate cost of childcare has anything to do with it? https://t.co/ZyLtmpEVDK
— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) September 20, 2021

typical British working parents spend 22% of their income on full-time childcare, more than double the average for western economies.https://t.co/Pqhr0377On
— Professor Amanda Vickery (@Amanda_Vickery) September 20, 2021

Graham Watson has taught Economics for over twenty years. He contributes to tutor2u, reads voraciously and is interested in all aspects of Teaching and Learning.