Lower Birth Rates

20 June, 2026

Birth rates are falling dramatically around the world.

Data shows that, in most countries, births have declined below the 2.1 children-per-woman level required to replace the existing population.1 In OECD countries, birth rates are 1.46 births per woman, lower in China (1.0) and South Korea (0.8) but are higher in countries such as Chad and Somalia (5.9).  

Recently commentators have suggested that the declining birth rates, resulting in aging populations and declining work forces, have negative consequences for economies and have suggested strategies for reversing the trend.

According to Biz News, social media use is one of a number of factors contributing to declining birth rates because it reduces personal socialising and contributes to sexual dysfunction.2

There’s another reason why digital devices may be contributing to declining birth rates, says Associate Professor Olle Johansson, and it has to do with the radiation they emit.

Johansson refers to studies showing that semen exposed to radiofrequency radiation from mobile phones, wifi or mobile phone jammers had:

·         decreased numbers of sperm

·         decreased sperm motility (movement)

·         decreased sperm viability

·         defects in sperm head

·         increased DNA fragmentation

·         increased oxidative stress (free radicals)

·         increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines and lower capacity to repair DNA damage.

Johansson recommends taking precautions to reduce exposure. He says, ‘My advice is to make your bedroom into a 'cell phone-free cell'. Do not bring the cell phone with you to bed, leave it in another room in flight-mode or completely turned off, and put it away already at 6 pm to make room for love and intimacy, but less so for its radiation. And if babies arrive, also respect their undisputed need for mum and dad, and not for gadgets and radiation. I understand it sounds old-fashioned, but sometimes we - as humans - must take steps backwards to ensure steps into the future.’

As Johansson suggests, if we want to improve fertility, it makes sense to reduce to wireless radiation. Here are some more tips:

·         Don’t carry mobile phones in pockets close to the testes.

·         If you have to carry a mobile phone next to your body, use our shielded mobile phone cases.

·         Don’t leave mobile phones next to your bed at night – many mobile phones emit radiation all the time, even in airplane mode or when turned OFF.

·         Don’t use wireless tables and laptops on your lap.

·         Don’t use laptop shields, which can reflect the radiation back to the user.

·         Use wired, rather than wireless, devices.

  1. https://ourworldindata.org/data-insights/which-countries-have-fertility-rates-above-or-below-the-replacement-level
  2. Biz News, ‘Why birth rates are falling everywhere all at once’, 18 May 2026, https://www.biznews.com/health/birth-rates-falling-everywhere-at-once
  3. Newsvoice, ‘Associate Professor Olle Johansson: Fuck your telephone?’ https://newsvoice.se/2021/03/olle-johansson-fuck-your-telephone/

 

 

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