How to Increase the Birth Rate?

Today, advances in medicine play an important role in increasing the birth rate around the world, but a number of social, economic and cultural factors may lead to its decline. A number of couples with infertility is growing every year, but new advances in biotechnology can significantly increase the birth rate. Thus, new genomic and cellular technologies that can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child. The spread of fertility dysfunction and assisted reproductive technologies are the main topic of the new issue of trendletters, produced as part of a joint project of the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Center and the UNESCO Futures Studies Chair (UNESCO Futures Literacy Chairs network).

For reference: This series of trendletters continues the practice of publishing reviews of global technological trends since 2014 and presents a unique database of global trends and challenges in the field of human development. This research of the HSE ISSEK is based on the results of iFORA Big Data System, the Delphi survey (with the participation of more than 400 leading foreign and Russian scientists), expert sessions and interviews. 

In the modern post-industrial society, children are no longer considered as an additional labor force in the household, and their upbringing is becoming more and more expensive for the family. Women have more opportunities to realize professional ambitions, as a result of which the average age of parents at the birth of a child has increased. Thus, in Russia, it has grown from 24.8 years in 1995, and to 28.8 years in 2020. 

Postponing pregnancy and the birth of the first child, on the one hand, has its advantages (for example, a more conscious attitude of parents to their responsibilities), on the other hand, it leads to an increase in the level of infertility among the population. Unfortunately, at least 15% of couples of reproductive age in the world face this problem. 

Assisted reproductive technologies are increasingly being used to solve the problem of infertility, but their effectiveness is still quite low. Only one of the three cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF) ends with pregnancy. 

New advances in medicine and biology, including in the field of genomic and cellular technologies, can significantly increase the chances of pregnancy and the birth of a healthy child. Delayed pregnancy becomes possible through the use of cryotechnologies. It is expected that in 2030, the global market for assisted reproductive technologies may reach $35.5 billion. 

The new issue is available via the link

Previous issues of trendletters can be found here.