Declining birth rates reported in Mexico and Chile

Latin American regions are experiencing significant demographic shifts characterized by declining birth rates and aging populations.

In Mexico, data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) shows an annual reduction of 8.16 percent in the birth rate. Mexico City reports one of the lowest averages at 0.8 children per person, while Jalisco has seen a substantial drop from 45.38 births per thousand inhabitants in 1970 to 15.76 in recent years. Experts suggest this trend is driven by multifactorial social and economic reasons, as well as the long-term impact of contraceptive promotion programs.

In Chile, the Ñuble region faces a demographic paradox. While 43.1 percent of births in 2025 were to mothers aged 24 or younger, the region's Total Fertility Rate stands at 1.10 children per woman, well below the replacement level. Ñuble recorded a negative population growth of 0.6 percent as deaths exceeded births. This decline is attributed to an aging population and the migration of young people to other territories, raising concerns regarding future labor availability and public service demand.