PM links decline in first- and second-child births to reduced marriage interest, ideological factors

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze attributed Georgia’s declining birth rates for first- and second-born children to a reduced public interest in marriage and broader ideological influences. 

Speaking during a parliamentary interpellation, he stated that the trend reflects a “serious worldview challenge” seen in countries where so-called liberal or pseudo-liberal ideologies, including gender policies and LGBTQ+ promotion, have spread extensively.

Kobakhidze contrasted this with the stable and increasing birth rates for third- and fourth-born children, emphasizing that social factors alone did not explain the decline. He called for measures to shape public consciousness and patriotic values to support positive demographic development in Georgia.

He noted in 2014, 26,355 first-born children were registered in Georgia, compared to 14,156 in 2024, nearly a 50% decline. For second-born children, the numbers fell from 23,171 in 2014 to 13,323 in 2024. In contrast, third and subsequent children have shown growth - 7,850 were born in 2012, rising to 11,014 in 2014 and 11,457 in 2024.

“These figures indicate that the causes are largely ideological and worldview-related. The sharp decline in first- and second-child births reflects reduced interest in marriage and exposure to so-called liberal policies, while births of third and subsequent children are unaffected, showing that economic factors are less significant,” Kobakhidze said.

He added that the government aimed to promote a shift in societal mindset to support family formation and increase birth rates, stressing the importance of addressing these “serious demographic challenges” for the country’s future.