Is there a Balkan fertility paradox? (from my email)
The Balkans may be the only region other than central Asia where fertility has increased from 2015 to 2026.* All of the highest fertility rates in Europe are in the Balkans. As of 2024: Montenegro (1.8), Bulgaria (1.73) Moldova (1.73), and Serbia (1.64) are top four. France was next at 1.61. Other balkan countries were […] The post Is there a Balkan fertility paradox? (from my email) appeared…
Fertility rates in the Balkans have increased from 2015 to 2026, making it the only region besides Central Asia with this trend, according to Thomas Hanes. Montenegro, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Serbia lead the Balkans with high fertility rates, while France follows with a rate of 1.61. Other Balkan countries generally have rates around 1.5, comparable to Western Europe's top fertility rates in Britain and Ireland.
In contrast, lower fertility rates in the Balkans, such as in Macedonia, Romania, Albania, and Hungary, are considered high for Southern Europe or the former Soviet Union. The fertility rates in the Balkans rose around 2010 and have continued to slowly increase. Hanes does not provide a theory to explain this pattern, noting that countries with similar cultures and economies have not shown a parallel increase in fertility.
Written by urgent.news from Marginal Revolution's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
