Swipe right, swipe left. For most people, dating apps are a harmless bit of fun. But, for the JapaneseJapan is famous for its many centenarians, who number more than 85,000. In 1963 there were just 153. governmentThe group of people who govern - or lead - the country., they are now very important.

Leaders in TokyoJapan's capital city. have launched a dating app to help people meet partners and start families.

Why? Japanese women are having fewer children than ever. According to the Health Ministry, the average Japanese woman is now expected to have 1.2 children. That number needs to be 2.1 for a population to keep replacing itself. The number of marriages in the country is also falling.

Users of the new app have to sign a letter saying they want to get married. Leaders also have plans to expand childcare and raise wagesThe money you earn from your job. for young workers.

Japan is not alone. No European country has an average birth rate above 2.1. In South Korea, it has dropped to 0.72.

Modern countries rely on having young people to fill the workforce, pay taxesThere are three main ways for governments to obtain money: print it, borrow it or collect taxes. and fund public services. Without young people, a country will struggle.

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

However, others argue that the crisis is not that bad. After all, the global fertility rateThe average number of children born to women of a certain age. is still 2.3.⁶ Some say that falling populations could even be a good thing, slowing global warmingThe Earth is getting hotter due to climate change..  

At present, countries like Britain still have enough young people in part due to people moving into the country from abroad.

In Japan, the population could fall by one third. The rest of the world may not be far behind.

Are we running out of children?

Yes! Across the richest parts of the world, birth rates are falling. Leaders are failing to convince people to have more children. For places like Japan or South Korea, their populations may never grow again.

No! The worldwide population is still growing. And in the long run, fewer people would be good for the planet. We should not worry.