Summary
A study by researchers, including Nicholas Bloom from Stanford University, found a link between remote work and increased birth rates in the United States. The research suggests that working from home could help solve America's declining fertility rates by making childcare and parenting easier, potentially increasing births by about 100,000 babies a year.
Key Facts
- Researchers studied data from 38 countries, noting a positive relationship between remote work and more children.
- The United States fertility rate hit a low of fewer than 1.6 children per woman.
- Couples with hybrid work schedules had more children than those without remote work opportunities.
- Remote work saved time on commuting, making childcare easier for parents.
- The research predicts an increase of 0.18 children per couple in the U.S. if both partners work remotely at least once a week.
- Remote work could boost U.S. births by approximately 100,000 a year, leading to $100 billion in extra spending.
- The U.S. fertility rate has been declining for nearly 20 years, below the replacement rate of 2.1.
- President Trump has proposed measures like in vitro fertilization access and "baby bonuses" to increase birth rates.
