The confinement of the COVID-19 seemed to be an opportunity to raise the birth rate, and this December the first children conceived in the state of alarm have already begun to be born. The web on fertilization and pregnancy mujerfertil.es, has prepared an analysis on the birth rate during this year 2020. A baby boom nine months after confinement, in which we should be immersed, has not occurred.
Some issues, among others, that have caused the decline in the birth rate since COVID-19 has come into our lives is the stop of assisted reproduction treatments and economic uncertainty.
Statistics and data on how the pandemic affects the birth rate
Some demographic data analyzed suggest that the birth rate in Spain, and in other parts of the world, has been directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CSIC research professor in Demography María Teresa Castro, in fact will negatively affect fertility rates short and medium term.
There are several factors that make a further decline in the country's already very low fertility. There is a determining factor which is the economic crisis, but there are others, such as the stoppage of assisted reproduction treatments. At this time, almost 10% of children born in Spain come from these techniques.
The assisted reproductive treatments have stopped both in public hospitals, focused on caring for COVID-19 patients, and in private clinics. Most stopped when the European Fertility Society called for caution in the absence of scientific evidence on how the virus could affect a pregnant woman. Now that health is gradually recovering normal activity, it is time to resume reproduction as well.
More couple breakups during 2020
Another factor that has affected the decline in birth rates in 2020 is the emotional stress, uncertainty about the future. It is the reason why couples who were planning to become pregnant without resorting to assisted reproductive techniques have now decided to postpone the pregnancy.
In China, during the pandemic and lockdown there was a increased number of breakups. And this same situation can occur in Europe. It is clear that the tensions that can occur during a prolonged time of confinement are a factor of wear and tear and emotional stress that can lead to these ruptures.
An issue directly related to the pandemic is the fear of new diseases, not only because of how COVID-19 or other diseases affect babies, but also parents. Almost 17% of those surveyed admitted this cause for not having children. The fear of losing or leaving children without a family is very high.
The birth rate in Spain and COVID-19
The situation in Spain continues to be summarized in a increasingly aging population, caused by both low birth rates and long life expectancy, the longest in the world. Concern about the economic instability caused by COVID-19, the loss of employment has prevented the number of pregnancies from increasing.
The National Institute of Statistics (INE) estimates that the health emergency will impact the demographic pyramid in two ways: on the one hand, it is expected that there will be an increase in mortality among adults, and on the other hand, the migratory brake will affect birth rates.
To this must be added a change in the mentality of young couples who are of age to start a family with children. 13,6% of these couples affirm that they do not want to have children, even if they have financial solvency and job stability. Their way of life is not about having to take care of a baby. They want to have all the time and resources for their personal enjoyment.
Recall that at no time has the World Health Organization advised against initiating pregnancies, neither naturally, nor with assisted reproductive techniques.