The demographic crisis of a new generation: how social networks are changing the future of humanity

A large-scale study published by the Financial Times suggests that the global decline in birth rates has reached a critical point. To date, in more than two-thirds of the world’s countries, the birth rate has already fallen below the mark of simple reproduction of the population. Experts associate this trend not so much with economic difficulties as with profound changes in the way of life caused by the digital transformation of society.

The world is on the verge of a demographic crisis

According to the Financial Times, in many regions of the world there is a sharp decline in the number of newborns. Today, in 66 countries, the average number of children per woman is much closer to one than to two. In a number of states, the most frequent scenario in families is the complete absence of children.

It is interesting that the problem has ceased to be a feature of rich countries only. According to the study, birth rates in Brazil, Mexico, Iran, Tunisia and Sri Lanka fell below those of the United States. This leads to a situation where countries begin to age even before they have time to reach a high level of national welfare.

Demographic statistics: expectations vs reality

The situation has worsened significantly over the last decade, and real indicators are often much worse than experts’ predictions. A striking example is South Korea: the United Nations (UN) predicted that 350,000 children would be born in this country in 2023, but in reality this figure was only 230,000.

Dynamics of indicators in different countries:

• Number of countries with low birth rates: 66 (approximately 1 child per woman).
• Real birth rate in South Korea (2023): 230,000 people.
• Comparative data: Mexico, Brazil and Sri Lanka have lower birth rates than the US.

Why are smartphones and social networks called the main reasons for the decline in the birth rate?

Demographic researchers emphasize the fact that the sharp decline began precisely during the period of mass distribution of smartphones and high-speed 4G mobile Internet. Technologies have fundamentally changed the structure of social interaction, especially among young people.

Digital consumption is gradually replacing live communication. In the same South Korea, the volume of personal communication between young people during the last 20 years has practically halved. Social networks (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) create a distorted view of reality, forming unrealistic expectations from partners, which makes it much more difficult to create strong and long-term couples.

Features of the influence of the content and psychology of loneliness

Demographers note that people did not just start having fewer children – they stopped creating couples in principle. Smartphones have filled all the free time that was previously spent on socializing. Algorithms of social networks often focus on idealized images, due to which the search for a real life partner seems too complicated and energy-consuming process.

Additional nuances: economy and labor market

Despite the dominance of the technological factor, the authors of the report admit that classic economic reasons are also relevant:

• Critically high cost of buying and renting housing;
• Increasing the age at which young professionals reach a stable level of income;
• General instability in the labor market and fear of the future.

The combination of these factors, together with digital isolation, creates a situation where the creation of a family is postponed indefinitely or canceled altogether. Experts emphasize: the demographic decline is becoming a new reality that most modern economies will have to deal with.