Brain Bites: Are We Really Having Fewer Children?

In this fourth edition of Brain Bites, we’ll delve with economist Esmée Zwiers into her research on falling fertility rates. How can we interpret recent trends in birth rates, and what could that teach us about the possible drive of these trends? Learn something new and grab a free sandwich during your lunch break.

Birth rates have fallen significantly across the industrialised world in recent decades. Low fertility has attracted growing attention from demographers, economists, and policymakers. In the Netherlands, the total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 3.1 in 1960 to 1.4 in 2024, a pattern seen across many developed countries.

In addition to explaining what these figures tell us, Esmée Zwiers will present newly compiled data on fertility by mothers' birth cohort - that is, grouping mothers by the year they were born rather than the year they gave birth. These findings offer a new perspective on recent trends in birth rates and open new questions about what might be driving them.

Programme

12:15: Doors open
12:30: Introduction by Revka Bijl
12:35: Mini lecture by Esmée Zwiers
12:45: Q&A with Esmée & Revka
13:00: End of programme

The programme is free of charge, but we do ask you to register because of catering. The event is in English and lasts 30 minutes.

Speakers