Chart-Unemployment-Fertility (IMAGE) Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Caption Biggest effect among young people: Rising unemployment lowers birth rates. On average, if the unemployment rate rises, birth rates drop for 28 European countries in every age group. Young people are most strongly affected. If the unemployment rate goes up by one percent fertility falls by nearly 0.2 percent for those aged 15 to 19, and by 0.1 percent for young people between 20 and 24 (overall effect for the period from 2001 to 2010). In Southern Europe, where setbacks are strongest, the decline in fertility is 0.3 percent for young people between 15 and 19 and one of 0.2 percent for those aged 20 to 24. The drop of children per woman was strongest for first births. Data: Human Fertility Databases, Eurostat & OECD. Credit MPI for Demographic Research Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.