The Decline in Birthrates

Conversation - B2-C1 | Advance Level

4.9 $

Jan. 18 Sun , 08:00 USA

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Description

In this advanced level lesson, the students will critically examine the global issue of declining birthrates and its long-term social and economic consequences. They will explore how longer life expectancy, late retirement, higher taxation, healthcare pressure, and education costs influence personal and national decisions. The lesson encourages learners to compare countries facing population decline with those experiencing overpopulation, evaluate the role of government intervention, and propose realistic, ethical, and culturally sensitive solutions.

Session Activities

Question 1: Is your country more concerned about population decline or population growth?

Question 2: Do people in your society feel pressure to marry and have children?

Question 3: How affordable is it to raise a child in your country today?

Question 1: What are the long-term economic risks of having a rapidly aging population?

Question 2: Why do many women today choose to delay or avoid having children, even in financially stable countries?

Question 3: Would financial support from the government influence your decision to have children?

Question 4: In your opinion, what matters more for starting a family: financial stability or career progress?

Question 5: How has the idea of retirement changed compared to the past?

Question 6: Should governments intervene by creating social or dating programs for single adults, or does that cross a line?

Question 7: What solutions to low birthrates seem realistic to you? Why?

Question 8: In all honesty, do you think the decline in birthrates is solvable?

Life expectancy

the average length of time people are expected to live

Public pension system

government-funded retirement support

Demographic shift

a change in population structure

Social welfare

programs supporting citizens’ basic needs

Pass the burden on

shift responsibility to others

Kick the can down the road

delay solving a problem