😮 Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan Have the Lowest Share of Children in the World

Key Takeaways

• Hong Kong (12.6%), South Korea (12.9%) & Japan (14.0%) are have the fewest children in the world as a share of the population.
• No African, South Asian, or Latin American mainland countries appear on the list — a sign of younger populations.

What Does Fewer Children Mean for the World?

Countries with shrinking child populations face long-term consequences: fewer workers, slower growth, and higher dependency burdens.

As older generations retire, smaller cohorts of young people must support pension systems, healthcare, and economies designed for a younger age structure.

This is already reshaping policies — from South Korea’s fertility subsidies to Germany’s immigration reforms.

Without a demographic turnaround or increased migration, many nations may confront economic stagnation and social strain.