What’s the real reason for the falling fertility rate?

Australia’s birthrate is falling faster than expected, Intergenerational Report shows

By Amy Remeikis

It’s a fact which can no longer be ignored -- Australia’s birthrate, like most of the world, is in decline and projected to fall even further. The 2026 Intergenerational Report released on Monday will show the trend of smaller families is all but baked into Australian society. The total fertility rate (TFR) is projected to reach 1.5 children per woman in 2030-31. Beyond that, it is projected to fall even further, dropping to 1.34 children per woman by 2065-66.

Society & Inequality

Australia’s birthrate is falling faster than expected, Intergenerational Report shows

OPINION

For all the talk of clouds, algorithms and artificial intelligence, there is nothing weightless about AI

By Sarah Hanson-Young

Australia urgently needs rules governing not only what AI can do, but the physical infrastructure required to house and power it. Yet the Albanese government is still refusing to put a moratorium on new data centres while Parliament works out what those rules should be.

Society & Inequality Artificial Intelligence

For all the talk of clouds, algorithms and artificial intelligence, there is nothing weightless about AI

OPINION

Adolescence: an opportunity for intervention

By Sonia Orchard

This is an edited extract of 'Before the Harm: Preventing Abuse, Protecting Children' by Dr Sonia Orchard. Available from 1 September 2026 in all good bookshops.

Society & Inequality

Adolescence: an opportunity for intervention