Birth rates are declining across Romania, Poland, Czechia, and Ireland due to economic and social factors.
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Birth rates are declining across several Eastern European countries, with Romania recording a historic low of under 150,000 births in 2024, marking five consecutive years of decline. Poland also saw only 252,000 births in 2024, its seventh year of falling birth rates despite being twice the size of Romania. Czechia registered a record low of 84,311 births in 2024. Experts attribute these trends to both internal factors, such as personal desires and relationship stability, and external issues like economic instability, inflation, unemployment, and insufficient state support in healthcare and education. In Romania, the lack of strong social safety nets has been a deterrent for couples. To reverse this trend, experts suggest the Romanian government must implement clear and efficient policies to improve educational and health systems. Conversely, Polish experts advise focusing on improving the lives of parents rather than trying to persuade citizens to have children. In Poland, factors like abortion restrictions, lack of childcare, high medical costs, and housing crises are cited as major causes, with 68% of women aged 18-45 in a 2022 survey not planning or unsure about having children. Ireland has seen relatively higher birth rates compared to the EU average, but faces severe housing shortages despite providing financial incentives for new parents. Czechia’s declining fertility is largely linked to financial insecurity and unaffordable housing. Furthermore, experts note that Romania’s natural increase remains negative, with deaths significantly outnumbering births, suggesting long-term demographic challenges requiring improvements in living standards and preventative healthcare for older populations.
