Chile’s National Institute of Statistics (INE) on Wednesday published data that showed the country’s fertility rate has fallen to the lowest level in its recorded history: just 0.97 children per woman.
The INE noted that births began to decline in Chile beginning in 2010. Last year, the fertility rate was 1.06 children and, if the trend continues, it will sink to 0.89 in 2028.
INE head of demography Miguel Ojeda predicted “the number of deaths will exceed the number of births” in 2028, “beginning a period of negative population growth.”