July 12, 2026, 6:25 am | Read time: 2 minutes
More and more countries are experiencing declining birth rates. According to an analysis, the average number of children per woman is now below 2.1 in more than two-thirds of the 195 countries. This figure is considered necessary for the population to remain stable without immigration.
In Germany, too, as few children were born in 2025 as not seen since the end of World War II. A study by the University of Cincinnati suggests a connection between the global spread of smartphones and this decline.
Decline Following Introduction of New Mobile Networks
Researchers believe that the increasing use of smartphones and social networks plays a significant role. The decline in birth rates was particularly noticeable initially in the U.S. and the U.K., where 4G mobile networks were introduced relatively early. The scientists conclude that teenagers spend more time on their smartphones and meet in person less often, which could lead to fewer relationships developing.
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Trend Seen in Many Countries
As reported by the magazine “Financial Times,” data journalist John Burn-Murdoch identifies a similar pattern in numerous other countries. In the U.S., U.K., and Australia, birth rates remained largely stable until the early 2000s. They began to decline in 2007, the year the first iPhone was introduced.
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According to the expert, the decline began in France and Poland in 2009. In Mexico, Morocco, and Indonesia, the trend started in 2012. In Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, birth rates had already been falling, but the decline was significantly more pronounced between 2013 and 2015. Smartphones became a mass phenomenon in these regions during these periods.
Other Factors Also Play a Role
In addition to the intensive use of smartphones and social media, the analysis cites other possible causes, such as the distorted portrayal of reality on social media. Demography researcher Lyman Stone from the Institute for Family Studies told the “Financial Times”: “When you spend your time on Instagram, your standards are anchored to an artificial image of what is normal.”
According to the “Financial Times,” economic crises and housing shortages also affect family formation. These factors are particularly significant obstacles in the U.S. and U.K. Fewer couples ultimately lead to fewer births.