‘Populations to fall in half of all nations’
DECLINING fertility rates are leading to a “baby bust”, health experts warn.
The average number of children born to women in 91 countries is now lower than two, though in 104 nations it is above two.
The UK’s rate is 1.7, similar to most Western European countries, according to the Global Burden of Disease study led by the Institute for Health Metrics at the University of Washington.
Boss Dr Christopher Murray said: “If nothing happens, populations will decline in those countries.
“That it’s half the countries in the world will be a huge surprise.”
The study also found over half of deaths last year were caused by high blood pressure, smoking, high blood glucose or high BMI.