Unprecedented drop in 2022: the number of births is much lower – Switzerland is missing children

Last year, fewer than 7,600 babies were born last year. It should continue this year too. However, 2021 was a special year A year rich in children. The BFS is said to have counted the same number of newborns for the last time in 1972. The birth rate is now at an all-time low.

When it comes to experts, it’s about a historic change, he writes:Sunday newspaper». The European average is 1.5 children per woman, and in Switzerland it is now 1.38. To maintain a stable population, a country – minus immigration – needs a birth rate of 2.1.

Switzerland is not alone in suffering from childlessness

Also, far fewer babies were born in Germany and Norway last year. This year, too, there were fewer in the first period than in the previous year. So the trend appears to be continuing. This is also due to the way of life, since the age of the mother for the first time is now 31 years old. The time between 30 and 40 is often highly used for jobs and careers.

The pandemic has also had an impact on births – just under a year after the lockdown in November 2021, the number of newborns was up 10 percent compared to the previous year. However, the birth rate rose less than expected.

This is understandable, says obstetrician Léo Pomar from the University of Lausanne in “SonntagsZeitung”. Because after major crises, stagnation is common. This may be related to the fear of worsening health or social conditions.

A new development is emerging in Switzerland, too: women either have no children — or several. National data is missing. However, Zurich statistics show that the number of first children born in 2022 is lower, but the number of children born third, fourth or fifth.

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