Azerbaijan is experiencing a demographic crisis: birth rate has decreased by 60%

In recent years, demographic decline and a sharp decrease in birth rates have become one of the most alarming problems in Azerbaijani society. According to the State Statistics Committee, 15,971 newborns were registered in the country in January-February 2025, which is 1,110 less than in the same period last year (17,081).

Statistics from the last 10 years show a steady trend of a 60% decrease in birth rates. If in 2022, 122,846 children were born in Azerbaijan, in 2023 - 112,620, and in 2024 - 102,310.

Sociologist Mail Yagublu called the demographic decline a serious problem.

"We discussed this topic on one of the TV programs. At that time, a representative of an international organization noted with concern that if everything continues, by 2100 the population of Azerbaijan will decrease to 8 million people. Unfortunately, this trend has already begun.

Several factors contribute to this. The first is that modern people view life differently. They no longer perceive it as people did in the 60-70s of the last century. Now, when deciding to have a child, a family thinks in advance about the child's education, entertainment, and standard of living. In the 60-70s, this wasn't the case. Back then, one mother had an average of 6 to 7 children. Now this figure has decreased to 1.6. This is a huge difference. At that time, no one thought that every child should receive higher education, dress fashionably, or have leisure time. People were less demanding. Now everything is planned in advance, and families limit themselves to one or two children," the sociologist explained.

Speaking about other reasons, M.Yagublu noted social and psychological factors.

"When there are many children, the family cannot financially support them. Parents often lack patience for their upbringing. Because people have become more individualized. Moms and dads want to live for themselves, enjoy life, and not sacrifice everything for their children. Therefore, they limit themselves to one or two. But in general, this is an alarming situation, and it must change," the sociologist believes.

Milli Majlis deputy Elnara Akimova proposes measures to increase the birth rate in Azerbaijan.

"It is necessary to increase the amount of one-time benefits paid at the birth of a child. It is also important to introduce tax benefits for large families and provide them with discounts on utility bills. Another proposal concerns the expansion of housing programs for young families. The state should simplify the conditions for obtaining social mortgages so that as many couples as possible can improve their housing conditions," she emphasized.

Source: Bizim.Media