{
  "id": 15483674,
  "title": "El Jalapeño: Mexico’s low birth rate prompts renewed calls to reinstate sacrifices to ancient fertility goddess",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/el-jalapeno-mexicos-low-birth-rate-prompts-renewed-calls-to-reinstate",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-10-18T20:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mexico News Daily",
    "slug": "mexico-news-daily",
    "url": "https://mexiconewsdaily.com/el-jalapeno/el-jalapeno-mexicos-low-birth-rate-prompts-renewed-calls-reinstate-sacrifices-ancient-fertility-goddess/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Demographers in Mexico City have revealed that the country's total fertility rate has plummeted to 1.2 children per woman, the lowest level since the era of Mesoamerican fertility rituals dating back to the early 1500s. This shocking decline in birth rates, which has dropped below replacement levels, has reignited discussions about potentially resurrecting ancient ceremonies dedicated to the fertility goddess Xōchiquetzal. While modern challenges like high housing costs and delayed career milestones are contributing to the dwindling birth rates, experts emphasize that historical data clearly indicates a direct correlation between the decline and the abandonment of the sacred altars honoring Xōchiquetzal. The survey, which also revealed significant regional disparities with Mexico City recording a fertility rate of a mere 0.8, suggests that current government policies centered on subsidies and public awareness campaigns are insufficient to reverse the trend. Officials have ruled out any immediate plans to bring back the sacrifices, but if the birth rate continues its downward spiral, they may find themselves reconsidering the ancient approach to population management.",
  "summary": "As birth rates continue to plummet in Mexico, officials are pondering alternatives not considered in at least five centuries. The post El Jalapeño: Mexico’s low birth rate prompts renewed calls to reinstate sacrifices to ancient fertility goddess appeared first on Mexico News Daily",
  "key_points": [
    "Mexico's total fertility rate drops to 1.2 children per woman.",
    "Ancient fertility rituals to goddess Xōchiquetzal discussed.",
    "High housing costs and delayed careers contribute to decline."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}