Dire warning as Australia's fertility rate falls to all-time low

Australia's fertility rate has hit a record low of 1.48 births per woman, as reported by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This decline has persisted since the mid-1970s and has reached critical levels, with experts warning of consequences if it drops below 1.4. Demographer Liz Allen expressed concerns, stating, "That decline then gets to 1.3, then the decline gets to 1.2... once we hit 1.2, it's done."

Factors such as housing affordability, economic security, and women having children later in life are believed to contribute to this decline. The situation resembles aging populations in South Korea and Japan, prompting calls for government reforms to address these demographic challenges.