Birth rates are collapsing in much of the world, in both rich and emerging countries. Beyond economic explanations, another factor is emerging: the profound transformation of ways people meet, form couples, and live socially.
In many countries around the world (France, Poland, Ghana, Australia, etc.), the decline coincided with the adoption of smartphones.
Shannon Osaka, The Washington Post
Madison Colombo, Fox News
Eight Reasons Women Stay in Abusive Relationships
Male Sexlessness is Rising But Not for the Reasons Incels Claim
Does Having Children Make People Happier in the Long Run?
The Porn Gap: Gender Differences in Pornography Use in Couple Relationships
Does Sexual History Affect Marital Happiness?
Weekly roundup of research, commentary, and insights changing the national conversation on the family.
P.O. Box 1502 Charlottesville, VA 22902
© 2026 Institute for Family Studies
© 2026 Institute for Family Studies
Before you go, consider subscribing to our weekly emails so we can keep you updated with latest insights, articles, and reports.
Before you go, consider subscribing to IFS so we can keep you updated with news, articles, and reports.
We’ll keep you up to date with the latest from our research and articles.