According to Philstar Biz, the Philippines has recorded a sharp drop in its fertility rate from seven children per woman in the 1960s to 1.7 today, falling below the replacement rate of 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.
The decline raises concerns about the country "getting old before getting rich," as the population ages without having achieved the economic growth typically associated with lower fertility rates. A shrinking workforce and rising dependency ratio could strain public resources and slow economic expansion.
The trend mirrors patterns seen in other developing nations, but the Philippines' pace of decline has been especially rapid. Policymakers face the challenge of adapting social safety nets, healthcare, and labor policies to support an older population while still fostering economic development.