Demographics 8 Oct 2026

Four rich countries, all below 1.4 babies per woman

Japan, Italy, Canada and England & Wales all recorded fertility far below the 2.1 needed to keep a population steady.

Official 2025 data shows record lows in fertility across four rich economies: Japan 1.14, Italy 1.14 (estimate), Canada 1.26 and England & Wales 1.39 (provisional) births per woman. Roughly 2.1 is needed to keep a population steady.

• Japan 1.14 (671,236 births, record low)
• Italy 1.14 (355,000 births)
• Canada 1.26
• England & Wales 1.39 (provisional)

Annual 2025 data; release dates range from Mar to Sep 2026. Italy's rate is an ISTAT estimate and England & Wales is provisional.