lunes, 16 de octubre de 2017

U.S. fertility is at an all time low | MercatorNet |October 16, 2017|MercatorNet|

U.S. fertility is at an all time low

MercatorNet |October 16, 2017|MercatorNet|







U.S. fertility is at an all time low

Significant economic consequences may follow.
Shannon Roberts | Oct 13 2017 | comment 1 



The United States fertility rate has fallen to an all-time low according to recent data from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).  It was just 62.0 births per 1,000 women of reproductive age in 2016 and, according to NCHS preliminary estimates, decreased to 61.5 in the first quarter of 2017.  The total fertility rate in 2015 was 1.84, below replacement rate.
The Great Recession of 2007 is attributed much of the blame.  Following the recession many young adults have struggled to enter the workforce and find affordable housing, so have put off having children. It also particularly affected Hispanics, a demographic group that has been boosting U.S. fertility.
Overall fertility goals are changing too, with more women delaying having children in favour of building careers and other goals and having a preference for a smaller family. 
Trump’s recent crackdown on immigration will only add to the challenge of dealing with an aging population.  The 65-and-over population will nearly double over the next three decades, from 48 million to 88 million by 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Worryingly, the Population Research Institute predicts significant economic consequences:
If birth rates continue to decline, and immigration drops off, the impact on the U.S. economy could be significant. Population growth, or more specifically, an increase in the labor force, is a key determinant of economic growth. Economists estimate that as much as one third of economic growth is attributable to workers being added to the labor force every year.
Low birth rates [also] correspond to aging population.  The U.S. is facing a substantial increase in its dependency ratio as the Baby Boomers retire, and working-age adults must replace the productivity thus lost and pay for entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Unfortunately fertility rates are unlikely to reach pre-recession levels because desired fertility goals in the U.S. overall have declined.  The country may be forced to look into ways to better cater to new mothers and families to support the economy – and ultimately the rest of society.


MercatorNet



October 16, 2017



Probably millions of Americans have donated to appeals following recent hurricanes in the United States and Central America. However, there is one group of donors whose generosity is both surpising and touching: Texas prison inmates. The New York Times reported at the weekend:



"In about one month, officials say, 6,663 inmates donated $53,863 for Hurricane Harvey relief — an astonishing sum considering many of the offenders typically have less than $5 in their accounts.



"Some of those who had saved gave more — hundreds of dollars, in some instances, a spokesman for the Criminal Justice Department said."
The effort was led by prisoners who had been involved in an earlier fundraising effort for Hurricane Katrina relief. Twelve years later they insisted that their officials restart the programme. I don't know about you, but I wonder why those guys are still in prison. Isn't it time for parole?



Also: Check out our Russian Revolution movie feature.
















Carolyn Moynihan
Deputy Editor,
MERCATORNET
The Russian Revolution in film



By Carolyn Moynihanand Michael Cook
Three epics about the Revolution and a postscript from the Stalinist era.



Read the full article
If you can change your gender, why not your age?



By Daniel Moody
And if so, what happens to the age of consent? Behind the ideology of transgenderism is the danger of paedophilia



Read the full article
Translation technology is useful, but should not replace learning languages



By Michael Haugh
Learning languages allows us to experience different ways of thinking.



Read the full article
U.S. fertility is at an all time low



By Shannon Roberts
Significant economic consequences may follow.



Read the full article
Why the Nobel Peace Prize brings little peace



By Ronald R. Krebs
The Committee's choices have been noble, but also sometimes naive.



Read the full article
Are we too tolerant of sexual assault?



By Zac Alstin
‘Rape culture’, prudence, and double-standards.



Read the full article
Women need free contraception like Cecile Richards needs a pay rise



By Janet Garcia
What they don’t need are the health issues that come with it.



Read the full article
The Playboy lifestyle and the death of sexual complementarity



By Ashleen Menchaca-Bagnulo
Should conservatives be celebrating Hefner's 'vision'?



Read the full article
5 lessons Harvey Weinstein can teach us about Hollywood



By Michael Cook
The latest scandal shows that root-and-branch reform is needed



Read the full article















MERCATORNET | New Media Foundation
Suite 12A, Level 2, 5 George Street | North Strathfield NSW 2137 | AU | +61 2 8005 8605

No hay comentarios: