Chile’s birth rate continues to decline. According to the latest statistical bulletin, births have dropped by 8.9% compared to the same period in the previous year. This figure not only confirms a sustained trend but also invites us to reflect on its causes, implications, and future challenges.

In a conversation with CISS Director Nicolás Montalva on Radio Bío-Bío Valparaíso, the researcher analyzed this phenomenon, addressing both the structural and cultural factors that influence the decision —or lack thereof— to have children.

In addition to the decrease in births, the report also notes a drop in deaths and marriages, pointing to broader changes in lifestyles and social organization.

"Today, there are alternative ways of forming non-legal partnerships that allow people to build a family, create a home, and develop social and cultural reproduction without necessarily turning to civil marriage. In fact, the same statistical bulletin from the National Statistics Institute reports an increase in civil union agreements, most of which are between opposite-sex couples."

One of the most visible consequences of this demographic shift is population aging. When declining birth rates are combined with increased life expectancy, Chile is moving toward a society with a progressively older average age. This demographic change presents new challenges for public policy, particularly in areas such as pensions, caregiving, health, and employment.

"This is a crucial topic to continue studying. The better we understand it, the better we can design policies to address the future—especially those aimed at older adults, who will make up the largest proportion of the population. At the same time, we must keep analyzing trends in birth rates and the factors that influence them."

You can listen to the full conversation at this link




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