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Population/Demographics

Young Chinese parents tighten belts as childcare costs rise

China is threatened with a demographic crisis after its birth rate halved over the past decade.
China is threatened with a demographic crisis after its birth rate halved over the past decade.

London contemplates ‘childless’ future as families leave British capital

In the decade through 2023 the number of residents under ten years of age fell by 99,100 as families moved out and fertility rates crashed.
In the decade through 2023 the number of residents under ten years of age fell by 99,100 as families moved out and fertility rates crashed.

askST: What is total fertility rate? What does Singapore’s record low rate mean?

With birth rates falling at a record rate, the citizen population may start to shrink by early 2040s without new interventions.
With birth rates falling at a record rate, the citizen population may start to shrink by early 2040s without new interventions.

Somali parliament backs constitutional changes that could extend president's term

FILE PHOTO: Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon/File Photo

China to build ‘birth-friendly society’, refine social security system

A man carries a child outside a children's hospital in Beijing, China November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo
A man carries a child outside a children's hospital in Beijing, China November 24, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo

Over 300 people have fled Iran via Azerbaijan, source close to government says

Protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups react to tear gas as they attempt to move toward the U.S. embassy located in Baghdad's Green Zone, as riot police deploy to block their advance, following the Israel and U.S. strikes on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad
Protesters supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups react to tear gas as they attempt to move toward the U.S. embassy located in Baghdad's Green Zone, as riot police deploy to block their advance, following the Israel and U.S. strikes on Iran and the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in Baghdad, Iraq, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad

S’pore needs to reset views on marriage, parenthood; new work group to study issues: Indranee

Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.
Singapore’s preliminary resident total fertility rate dropped from 0.97 in 2024 to 0.87 in 2025, a historic low for the country.

S’pore’s fertility rate sinks to new low of 0.87, citizen population could shrink by early 2040s

Preliminary figures show only about 27,500 resident births in 2025, the lowest number in Singapore’s recorded history.
Preliminary figures show only about 27,500 resident births in 2025, the lowest number in Singapore’s recorded history.

To raise low birth rates, we must help mothers

Women pay a heavier price for having children, and, as one study found, this child penalty grows as countries become wealthier.
Women pay a heavier price for having children, and, as one study found, this child penalty grows as countries become wealthier.

South Korea’s birthrate, the world’s lowest, rises again amid signs of easing demographic crisis

New births in South Korea started to rebound in 2024 on a post-pandemic boost and supported by government policies.
New births in South Korea started to rebound in 2024 on a post-pandemic boost and supported by government policies.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2026 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.