Impact of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on birth rates in Europe: a time series analysis in 24 countries.

ABSTRACT:

Study question

Did the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on monthly birth rates in Europe?

Summary answer

Using datasets on live births per month in Europe, collected from the Human Fertility Database, we found a -14.1% decline in live births in January 2021 (i.e. 9-10 months after the epidemic peaks and first lockdowns), compared to the average number of live births in January 2018 and 2019.

What is known already

Previous pandemics in the 20th and 21st centuries have been associated with a decline in birth rates 9 months after their peak, and a rebound in births over time. Lockdowns were necessary to control the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and may have had an impact on subsequent birth rates.

Study design, size, duration

Monthly time s

SUBMITTER: Pomar L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9619770 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature