Brazil's Birth Rate Hits 47-Year Low: A Nation's Changing Landscape

Brazil's birth rate has plummeted to a 47-year low, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Data released on May 16, 2025, reveals a consistent five-year decline, reaching its lowest point in 2023 since 1976. This trend is illustrated by the story of Valentina Pereira Gomes, a 46-year-old dentist who recently gave birth to her second child. "It's a trend we've been observing, mainly linked to women's empowerment in Brazilian and global society," explains Maira Covre-Sussai, a demographer at UERJ. "Women are delaying having children because they're investing in their careers." The IBGE's data, compiled from civil registries, paints a clear picture of declining fertility, prompting discussions about societal changes and their impact on family planning in Brazil.