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European scientists interested in population studies have been more concerned with fertility trends, especially its tendency to stabilize well below-replacement level. Today in many European countries, fertility is not only low but also very low, reaching the mark of 1.5 children per woman and, in some, even the lowest low.
The social structure, religious views, financial prosperity, and urbanization within each nation are to influence birth rates and abortion rates. Developed countries have a lower fertility rate because of lifestyle choices linked with economic affluence, where mortality rates are low, birth control is easily accessible, and kids often can become an economic drain caused by housing, education cost, and other cost required in getting up children.
Changes in life priorities ultimately strongly influence attitudes toward procreation in society.
The map below shows the distribution of agreement with the statement that it is one’s duty towards society to have children (% that agree). The concept of children as a moral obligation of citizens to reproduce society is least accepted in the low countries (the Netherlands and Belgium), Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. On the other hand, it is taken quite a lot in more traditionalistic countries of Eastern Europe.
