Finland’s population is aging rapidly, with concerns about climate change and an upcoming war affecting their willingness to breed, according to a study released Thursday by the Finnish Family Federation.
Surveys show that about 15% of people between the ages of 20 and 45 don’t want to have children. This percentage has not changed much over the last few years. The motivation behind this reason is mostly the same. People want to prolong their youth, continue their studies, grow, prioritize their careers, and wait for the ideal financial situation and partner.
But a study by the Finnish Family Federation found a new motive. A growing number of parents may be concerned about the climate crisis and its impact on future generations. Also, the war in Ukraine had divisive effects in both directions. For some, it proved to be an argument for not having children, but for others it worked as an incentive.
Finland’s population is now the second oldest in Europe after Italy. A shrinking working population is having an impact on the economy, a problem that spans Europe.
According to EU demographic projections, 30.3% of Europeans will be at least 65 years old by 2070. More recently, in 2019, that percentage was much lower at 20.3%. Eurostat predicts that the EU-27 population will peak at 525 million in 2044 and decline to 416.1 million by 2100.
(Pekka Vantinen | EURACTIV.com)
