Finland’s stubbornly low birth rate shows why a population shift may be inevitable

by The editor•6 hours ago•NPR

Poa Pohjola, 38, and Wilhelm Blomberg, 35, of Helsinki, welcomed their first baby in July. After initially hesitating to have a child, Pohjola says she realized in her mid-30s that she wanted to become a mother, and Blomberg agreed.

Famous for baby boxes and expansive pro-family policies, Finland continues to see one of the lowest birth rates in Europe, as a case study in how policy solutions may not address the population shift.

(Image credit: Sarah McCammon)