Reduced birth rates in Canada are similar to most other western countries. The birth rate has declined by 20 percent in the United States in the last 15 years. On the other hand, there is Greece, with a 30 percent reduction in births since 2008.
Generally, Canada is also undergoing a reduced fertility rate with hardly any chances of population replacement levels. The birth rate is stagnant at 2.1 births per woman. Moreover, since 2002, the country has continued to experience a downward pattern in terms of fertility rate. The birth rate is 1.4 children per woman in the year 2020. Also, 2020 witnessed the lowest birth rates in the last 15 years. Overall, Canada experienced the most significant annual decline in fertility, accounting for -3.6 percent.
Reduced birth rates in Canada and the western countries
There is no single reason for this declining Canadian birth rate because it would be the individual’s decision entirely to think of having a child or not. However, the western world’s influence might also be one of the reasons behind the reduced fertility rate.
High expenditure concerning a child’s upbringing
A child’s upbringing involves a lot of expenditure because until the child turns 18, parents still must fulfill his essential needs. The expenses could relate to excellent education and other primary services, which the child might require for a better childhood.
Consequently, due to the continuous rise in the expenditure of bringing up a child, a middle-class family would require an income of up to $26,000 in the U.S. This is the chief reason why people are not choosing to have children. Hence, the birth rates are deteriorating gradually.
On the other hand, Canada has a higher expenditure on children’s upbringing, increasing by 11 percent. This accounts for nearly $27,000 since 2015.
Women’s education
In the previous forty years, women coming from the western world usually reflected the acquisition of higher educational levels. Moreover, western women depict increased social empowerment, causing a declining pattern of fertility rates.
Present economic conditions
The beginning of the pandemic, or Covid-19, as we might call it, turned out to be the chief concern for individuals experiencing economic uncertainty. Therefore, several people in the west have zero intentions for childbirth plans.
Recently, Statistics Canada revealed through its report that Canadians between 15 and 49 years had changed their decision to have a child due to the pandemic. Besides this, 14.3 percent of respondents shared a change in their determination to bear a child against their pre-plans. Additionally, 10.9 percent of respondents claimed to have fewer children than their initial plan.
Reduced birth rates in Canada- the current situation
Looking at Canada’s perspective, a reduced birth rate has significantly contributed to increased immigration. This is primarily because of the need to combat the acute labor force shortage and raise the population. Moreover, there is hardly any population growth through natural birth; therefore, the country fails to replace the aging population. All this is due to the declining fertility rates, and immigration is the critical factor in favor of the Canadian workforce and economic growth.
Canadian population growth between 2016 and 2021 results from over 1.8 million temporary and permanent residents arriving in Canada. Moreover, it is only due to this immigrant population growth that Canada’s workforce can flourish. Interestingly, around 79.9 percent of the increase in the Canadian force is due to Canadian immigration between 2016 and 2021.
As a result, the economic development is also at par only because of this immigrant population growth. The increasing number of immigrants arriving here will only see a rise in taxpayers. Overall, Canada will have adequate resources and money to enable Canadians to access the various benefits. Consequently, there will be a rise in economic prosperity and population growth.
Conclusion
Canadian immigration contributed to around 23 percent of the total Canadian population. As a result, this percentage will likely lie between 29.1 and 34 percent by 2041. Also, this only applies to the current demographic patterns and reduced fertility rates.
