Experts highlight best practices to address falling fertility rates

Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), a Qatar Foundation (QF) member, recently held a session to shed light on an ongoing research about factors behind declining fertility rates in the world, with the aim of identifying worldwide policies and best practices.

The discussion was hosted on the sidelines of the United Nations 54th session of the Commission on Population and Development to address the issues impacting fertility rates. Moderated by Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan, the panel discussion commenced with welcoming remarks from Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations H E Ambassador Alya Ahmed S. Al Thani, A research by DIFI titled ‘Social Aspects of Fertility in Qatar’ was also highlighted at the discussion. Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al Thani commended the work and the important contributions of DIFI in developing scientifically-based relevant policy research, which significantly contributes to advancing knowledge on Arab families and promote evidence-based polices at national, regional, and international levels. The discussion continued with a presentation by Dr. Sharifa Noaman Al Emadi, Executive Director of DIFI, who said: “Factors impacting low fertility are diverse, fuelled by structural factors such as increased divorce rates, postponement of marriage, decreasing marriage rates, and couples’ preferences to have fewer children. “Other aspects are related to education, labour market, and work-family balance policies. Economic burdens in terms of housing and cost of parenting are also amongst other influential factors.