Pope Francis addresses population decline

The Vatican has expressed a growing concern for the apparent decline in population.

In the recently published Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation titled Amoris Laetitia or The Joy of Love, Pope Francis said that fear of overpopulation, economic difficulties, industrialization, sexual revolution, and consumerism are factors that keep couples from having children.

Quoting the 2014 Relatio Synodi, he said that "the decline in population, due to a mentality against having children and promoted by the world politics of reproductive health, creates not only a situation in which the relationship between generations is no longer ensured but also the danger that, over time, this decline will lead to economic impoverishment and a loss of hope in the future. The development of bio-technology has also had a major impact on the birth rate."

While the church is not opposed to those couples who are "generous in transmitting life" but need to limit the number of children due to serious reasons, it does not condone "forced State intervention in favour of contraception, sterilization and even abortion."

Author and Family Talk founder Dr. James Dobson seems to have the same view. He said in a January blog post that the decline in birthrate is happening all over Europe. Russia, for instance, now gives incentives to women who bear children. In parts of Asia, two good example are Japan, which now has more old citizens than babies, and China, where there are not enough women to marry the men in the country. It is also happening in Central and South America. In the U.S., he said that if it were not for immigrants, there would no growth in the population.

This decline, according to Dobson, is due to contraception, abortion, and surgery, as well as the choice of those of child-bearing age to have their freedom and independence. Some also view child-rearing as time-consuming and burdensome, not to mention expensive.

If there is no longer be enough people in the workforce, the economy cannot be sustained. There will also be social, cultural, spiritual, and politicall repurcussions, Dobson said.