Swipe right, swipe left. For most people, dating apps are a harmless bit of fun. But, for the Japanese government, they are a national priority.

JapanAn island country in East Asia, with a population of nearly 126 million.'s fertility rateThe average number of children born to women of a certain age. has fallen to a new low for the eighth year in a row. According to the Health Ministry, the average Japanese woman is now expected to have 1.2 children.¹ That number needs to be 2.1 for a population to keep replacing itself. Separate data also shows that the number of marriages is falling.

The Tokyo Metropolitan government has launched a dating app. Users have to sign a letter confirming they want to get married.³ The government also has plans to expand childcare and raise wages for young workers.

Japan is not alone. Fertility is falling across the developed world. No European country has an average birth rate above 2.1. In South Korea, it has dropped to 0.72.⁴

Modern economies rely on stable or growing populations to fill the workforce, pay taxes and fund public services. "The demographicThe qualities (e.g. age, sex, income) of a specific group of people or population. winter is coming," says respected economist Jesus Fernandez-Villaverde.⁵

However, others argue that the crisis has been exaggerated. After all, the global fertility rate is still 2.3.⁶ Some say that declining populations could even be a good thing, slowing global warmingThe Earth is getting hotter due to climate change..  

At present, countries like Britain have prevented population collapse with high levels of immigrationThe permanent movement of people into a country. . But critics warn that record immigration has caused a rise in far-rightA range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents. politics across Europe.

When faced with the cost of raising a family, many modern couples would prefer to remain childless. This is especially true for women, whose careers suffer from starting families.

In Japan, the population is expected to fall by one third. Japanese society is already adapting to fewer children. The rest of the world may not be far behind.

Are we running out of children?

Yes: Across the developed world, birth rates are falling. So far, government policies have failed to slow the decline. For places like Japan or South Korea, their populations may never recover.

No: The global population is still growing. Immigration is the solution for countries with low birth rates. In the long run, the planet will benefit from fewer people.

Or... As countries become more wealthy, educated and technologically advanced, the birth rates decline. In the long run, societies will have to adapt to smaller populations.

Japan - An island country in East Asia, with a population of nearly 126 million.

Fertility rate - The average number of children born to women of a certain age.

Demographic - The qualities (e.g. age, sex, income) of a specific group of people or population.

Global warming - The Earth is getting hotter due to climate change.

Immigration - The permanent movement of people into a country.

Far-right - A range of ideologies that emphasise social order, racial purity and the elimination of opponents.