Part 2/9:
Over the period from 2014 to 2024, Australia has seen approximately 15,000 fewer babies born each year. This reduction is startling, especially considering the substantial population growth experienced over that decade. Yet, the decline in births is predominantly centered in urban centers, with no compensatory growth in the countryside to offset this trend.
This demographic shift raises pressing questions about the causes and consequences of such a decline, yet surprisingly, it remains largely unaddressed by political leaders. The crisis is conspicuous, with many arguing that it is a fundamental issue that warrants urgent attention, but it seems to be a topic avoided or sidelined in political discourse.