Finland Faces Historic Low Fertility, Uncertainty

Finland’s falling birthrate is reshaping family life despite generous Nordic benefits. NPR’s Population Shift series spotlights Poa Pohjola, 38, and Wilhelm Blomberg, 35, who welcomed a baby as the nation’s total fertility rate hovers below 1.3, far from the 2.1 replacement level. Kela reports surplus baby boxes from 2024 and more parents opting for cash, while researchers cite later parenthood, strained relationships, technology, finances, and wider anxieties—from climate to the economy. Immigration softens the decline, but officials fear aging demographics. Policymakers see no single fix, urging closer listening to young adults.