In Argentina, the decline in births has several causes, one of which is «greater effectiveness of contraceptive methods,» according to Gala Díaz Langou, executive director of CIPPEC (Center for the Implementation of Public Policies for Equity and Growth).
«The decline in births has several causes,» she noted. However, the pace and intensity of the decline are not the same in all provinces. «This reflects a deeper process: we are losing the sense of belonging. The family is usually the last bastion in support networks, and we are seeing it disintegrate,» Díaz Langouou emphasized. This phenomenon is linked to broader societal changes where the formation of couples is becoming less frequent and more ephemeral.
In a conversation with the Argentine News Agency, Díaz Langou added: «Also influencing are broader economic and social transformations: greater female participation in education and work, less weight of mandates, and each person's decision about their life project. This challenge is twofold because on the one hand it implies ensuring that the necessary jobs are created so that everyone can work, and on the other hand it implies understanding that those who are inactive are fundamentally women who are caring.»
«In the economic and fiscal sphere, by 2040 the ratio between the active and dependent population will be less favorable. This implies greater pressure on the pension system and the financing of health,» she explained. «To sustain intergenerational solidarity, it will be key to increase productivity, labor participation, and formalization,» the expert added.
According to her, the decline in birth rates is also linked to changes in the age at which people decide to become parents. «Motherhood and fatherhood are being postponed. More and more women are having their first child after the age of 30. This important data shows that part of the decline is linked to greater access to information and health services,» Díaz Langou noted. «In contexts where employment is more informal or unstable, this decision can be delayed even more or reduce the total number of children,» she concluded.
