DI’s Lyman Stone is cited in a Wall Street Journal article that identifies a significant obstacle for the baby formula shortage. Ukraine has been the number one exporter of sunflower-seed oil which is a key ingredient in baby formula. As Russia’s war with Ukraine continues, Ukrainian ports are blocked from shipping the oil. Read the [...]
The Washington Examiner explores several causes for the current baby formula shortage. Lyman Stone, Demographic Intelligence’s Chief Information Officer, is cited several times as he shares a number of specifics from his on-going research. One key area discussed is the breastfeeding rates that have been declining since 2019. Read the full article here.
Demographic Intelligence has released its December 2020 Fertility & Family Digest Newsletter. Many aspects of the ongoing COVID -19 challenges are addressed. Other important issues covered are historically low Australian birth rates, the Chinese governments change on fertility policies, and an automated matchmaking service in Japan. As a regular feature the newsletter provides monthly actual [...]
The Wall Street Journal reports on how a declining birthrate in the coming months, due to the pandemic, is affecting businesses. Makers of infant products have been developing new lines and shifting their focus to other products in order to prepare for the change in demand. Covid-19 has affected nearly all businesses, many for the [...]
The November 2020 Fertility & Family Newsletter has been released. COVID -19 related specifics are a significant part of the update. Other additional important issues covered in depth are: U.S. mortality rates, economic and social fertility indicators, a highlight regarding pregnancy registrations in Japan, and information on the U.S. Child Tax Credit. As a regular [...]
Child populations are declining nationally and in most U.S. states. Particularly deep declines in populations of children under the age of eight are expected to be seen in rapidly aging states with low birth rates like California, Illinois, Hawaii, Vermont, New Mexico and West Virginia. States that benefit from intra-country migration, and which have relatively [...]
The nation with the world's lowest fertility rate crashed through another record level in 2019. South Korea's fertility rate declined to 0.92 children per woman in 2019 from 0.98 a year earlier. An article in the Nikkei Asian Review said many women in South Korea blame high housing prices, rising childcare costs and difficulty in [...]
In a provocative essay for The New York Times, Anna Louise Sussman examined the connection between "late capitalism" in the developed world and declining birthrates. As Demographic Intelligence has well documented, there is a widening gap between desired fertility and actual fertility. The essay combines anecdotes with regular people talking about the circumstances of their own delayed [...]
Destination Maternity recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and announced plans to shutter stores nationwide amid sagging sales. While competition, especially from online sources, certainly surely played a role, Destination Maternity in its bankruptcy petition citing falling birthrates as a major reason for its struggles. Business Insider cited Demographic Intelligence Advisor Lyman Stone's analysis [...]
The steep worldwide decline in births is getting more and more attention in the news. Bloomberg recently did a deep dive on includes conversations with women across the world about their marriage and childbearing decisions. It also has a fascinating searchable visualization of falling fertility in nearly every country worldwide. Read and explore the whole [...]
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