If fewer people have children… what happens next?

Across the globe birth rates are falling, populations are ageing and debates about parenthood have become intensely divisive.

In this video, we set out to understand why parenthood might no longer feel like the default option, why birth rates are falling faster in some places than others and what this trend could mean for our future.

In case you’re interested here are some of the stories we reference in this video:

1. Scotland’s birth rate falls to lowest level since 1855 – https://bbc.in/4vV6WBw
2. Scotland’s deaths outnumber births – so why is the population still rising? – https://bbc.in/4sXjG84

In Case You Missed It is a new YouTube series from BBC News telling stories from across the UK. Let us know what you think in the comments and tell us if there are any stories you think we should cover next!

In this video…

00:00 – Intro
00:37 – The UK’s population pyramid
01:34 – The story so far… on social media
02:46 – Scotland’s population data
06:30 – What’s a ‘baby desert’?
07:21 – The cost of having children
08:07 – ‘Social infertility’ – reasons we might not have children
11:32 – The Japanese example – ‘a quiet state of emergency’
12:30 – What does the future hold?

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#BBCNews #BirthRates #population #children #parenting

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Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews

For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news

#BBCNews

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President Trump has said the US is to help free up ships out of the Persian Gulf, through the strait of Hormuz. It’s understood that the plan is for US warships to escort commercial shipping through the strait.

The US has been carrying out a naval blockade of the strait of Hormuz following the ceasefire in its war with Iran. The Iranians has closed the strait with attacks on shipping. The sea lane is critical to international trade because around a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies pass through it.

In a statement on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: “This process, Project Freedom, will begin Monday morning, Middle East time. I am fully aware that my representatives are having very positive discussions with the country of Iran, and that these discussions could lead to something very positive for all.”

He described the planned operation as a “humanitarian process” to help the crews of ships stuck in the Gulf by Iran’s closure of the strait and a US naval blockade.

Trump said that “If, in any way, this process is interfered with, that interference will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

Earlier, President Trump said he had reviewed and rejected Iran’s latest peace proposal, saying it was “not acceptable”.

Human rights groups inside Iran have accused the regime of carrying out widespread torture and execution. The BBC has been able to speak to some of those inside Iran.

Clive Myrie presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Peter Bowes and Fergal Keane.
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Iranian state media reports that Tehran has put forward a 14 point peace plan to end the war with the US. Donald Trump says he’ll consider it, but doubts it goes far enough.

The Israeli military issues an urgent evacuation warning to eleven communities in southern Lebanon.

The UK government announces contingency plans, in case there are jet fuel shortages this summer as a result of the war.

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#MiddleEast #Iran #BBCNews

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Iran’s military has said it will close the Strait of Hormuz in response to the US maintaining its blockade, Iranian state media reports.

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