Advantages and Disadvantages of a reduced birthrate.

2013/Syllabus 1127

Children. Some consider them little bundles of joy, while some view them with

disdain and as annoyances. However, one thing is certain. A child is a commitment.

A life, a person that requires patience, care and attention. Before the industrial

revolution, the life of a child could not be guaranteed. For most of human history, 1 in

2 newborns died before reaching the age of fifteen. By 1950 it has dropped to 1 in 4,

by 2020 it has fallen to 1 in 25.However, 1 in 25 is a statistic heavily skewed by

countries in active war zone and/or countries with underdeveloped healthcare. With

such statistics, the parents in the 20th century tended to reproduce may times,

producing many children. However with the improvements in healthcare and infant

mortality rates, such abundant production of humans has slowed and many couples

have begun remaining without a child even through marriage. In this essay, I will

discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a couple remaining without a child.

Firstly, it will reduce overpopulation. Singapore has a population density of about

8331 people per square kilometer. Compared to our neighbour Malaysia with a

population density of about 102 persons per square kilometer. This disparity in

population density of two similar countries shows the severity of Singapore’s

overpopulation problem. Overpopulation leads to increased competition for a

country’s resources. With Singapore’s limited or even non-esistent natural resources

on her land, the problem is only exacerbated. Such competition results in the

cost-of-living sky rocketing and increased rates of unemployment, Although not

immediate, a reduction in the number of babies being born would undoubtedly be

beneficial and perhaps even crucial, for Singapore to slow its rising cost-of-living and

create a slower-paced society, with lessened competition for jobs and even

necessities.

Secondly, a reduction in childbirths will result in lessened strain on a country’s care

system for the elderly in the future. Human beings will grow old, they will stop

contributing to society and have to be cared for by others. There will be those that

need financial assistance, and those that require special accessibility features to be

installed in various places. A ‘baby boom’ although beneficial while the children are

middle ages, will siphon resources from the country and government after reaching a

certain age to retire. A prime example of this would be China, where her once army

strong labour force is now beginning to age, and retire. Thus, a reduction in

childbirths would be beneficial in the long term for the country’s economy.

However, a country's population not bearing children will impact the innovation and

technological progress. Youths tend to be the one’s contributing towards

technological and creative advances. With a decline in the young entering the

workforce, it may lead to a small pool of talent for innovation and entrepreneurship.

This will negatively affect a country’s ability to remain competitive in the rapid global

economy. A low birth rate can impede a country’s progress in the fields of science,

technology, and industry.

In essence, the decision of couples to remain childless is multifaceted. It intertwines

demographic, economic, and societal considerations. Striking a balance between

addressing short term concerns such as overpopulation and the long-term

challenges associated with an aging population is crucial for shaping a sustainable

and prosperous future. Therefore, a policies and societal awareness is imperative for

an equilibrium between current and future generations.