Sunday, November 15, 2009

Low birth rate and immigration

I saw a news report that Japan, which is suffering from low birth rates and an aging population, is thinking about making changes to be more attractive to immigrants. This is similar to the situation and solution adopted in Singapore.

In my view, a better approach is to deal with the underlying causes for the low birth rates. Due to insecurity caused by globalization, many people are now spending more years to get a higher education, and are starting work later. They have to work long hours to establish a career. They dare not think about the commitment to raise a family.

The people from the less developed countries do not have this same type of worry. The cost of living is low. They are willing to raise more children and supply them as immigrants to the more developed countries.

Is this type of arrangement good for the world? I think that it is better for a country to grow its own local population rather than rely on immigrants.