Part 9/11:
The COVID-19 pandemic had an immediate adverse effect on birth rates as job losses surged and hospitals struggled with overwhelmed capacities. However, as remote work became more prevalent, resulting in an increase in flexibility for dual-income households, birth rates began to rise again. This shift highlights how easing the constraints of urban living can create a more favorable environment for family planning.
Employers are now faced with a choice: embrace policies that facilitate both workplace equality and remote work to promote family growth, or risk a declining labor supply. The case for remote work is bolstered by evidence showing that it can create family-friendly conditions conducive to higher birth rates.