How technology is reshaping birth rates
According to an analysis of demographic data from multiple continents conducted by the British newspaper Financial Times (FT), the widespread adoption of smartphones and mobile internet during the 2000s and 2010s emerged as a critical driver of falling birth rates worldwide. The turning point in fertility coincided with the rise of social media: in France and Poland, the decline began after 2009; in Mexico and Indonesia, around 2012; and in Ghana and Nigeria, between 2013 and 2015. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that in the United States and the United Kingdom, birth rates dropped earlier and more steeply in regions where 4G mobile internet became available first.
The most pronounced decrease in interest in starting a family is observed among people under the age of 30. In Ukraine, 168,778 children were born in 2025—three times fewer than the number of deaths and 1.6 times fewer than in 2021. In June 2025, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released a report on the causes of the global demographic slump, in which 39% of respondents cited financial difficulties as a barrier to having children. Fear about the future was mentioned by 19% of survey participants, while 21% pointed to unstable employment as an obstacle.
Two pathways driving lower fertility
Experts identify two primary mechanisms through which technology reduces birth rates:
- The first mechanism involves a decline in face-to-face personal connections, which coincided with the growing popularity of mobile apps and Google search queries.
- The second mechanism is linked to social media, which fosters inflated expectations of potential partners.
As Stanford University demographer Alice Evans noted: 'Instagram and TikTok allow young women around the world to bypass traditional authorities and develop significantly higher expectations for relationships—expectations that the men in their communities often simply cannot meet.'
In light of these findings, the United Nations has urged governments to move beyond simple baby bonuses and instead adopt systemic changes, including affordable housing, paid leave, and quality reproductive health services. New technologies and shifting social norms are thus profoundly influencing demographic trends, presenting fresh challenges for society.
These results indicate that modern technology and changes in social interactions can significantly affect fundamental demographic indicators such as birth rates. Heightened expectations of partners, driven by social media, along with financial hardships, point to the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing demographic issues. It is essential that governments respond to these shifts by implementing effective policies that can support young families and encourage higher birth rates in the context of new social realities.
The decline in fertility rates is not isolated to a single region, as evidenced by the recent findings on Ukraine's shrinking population. Understanding the broader implications of demographic changes can provide insight into the factors influencing birth rates globally. For a deeper look into the key reasons behind Ukraine’s population drop, explore the detailed analysis in our article on Ukraine’s population challenges.