Numerous reasons hinder Lebanese youth from marrying and having children, fearing that an ill-considered step could exacerbate daily life challenges. Having children is no longer easy for most Lebanese families due to high financial burdens stemming from the economic crisis that the country has faced for the past two years. According to a study conducted by "International Information" (a local statistical bulletin) published in February 2021, the economic crisis and the spread of the Corona pandemic have impacted conditions in Lebanon, resulting in the closure of thousands of businesses, the layoff of thousands of workers, a 45% decline in commercial activity, and a decrease in purchasing power due to rising prices and the collapse of the lira's exchange rate against foreign currencies.
The study noted that one of the "social repercussions is the decline in marriage and birth rates in 2020 compared to 2019 and the average over the last five years (2015-2019), while death rates increased."
In this context, sources from religious authorities across most sects in Lebanon told "Sky News Arabia" that marriage procedures have partially halted because people do not guarantee their future due to current conditions, although this varies by sects and regions. One of the "Mukhtars" in the capital Beirut stated, "We cannot say that marriage transactions and marriage contracts have completely stopped, but we can affirm that the number of these transactions has significantly and markedly declined."
Ziad, an engineer at the start of his career, commented, "It is natural for a young man to think a lot before deciding to marry initially, and then about having children later. This is due to social and economic responsibilities, starting from securing a decent home during the worst economic crisis in Lebanon's history, to having children, raising them, and ensuring necessities and food for newborns, such as milk, diapers, and medical care that are almost non-existent in pharmacies; if available, their prices are exorbitant."
Young woman Leila Ibrahim expressed, "Pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood are inherently beautiful, but they require me to leave my job, which I need with my husband to pay our due installments. Therefore, we are not currently considering having children until we see how we will continue our lives... and where?"
### Medical Shrinkage and Closing of Maternity Departments
Dr. Pierre Nakhel, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, told "Sky News Arabia," "The decline in birth rates in Lebanon is due to the reluctance of young men and women to marry and form families due to the economic situation." He added, "From a medical perspective, the decrease in birth rates affects the readiness of medical teams, prompting many hospitals to close their maternity departments."
Dr. Nakhel noted, "It is crucial to pay attention; if the crisis in Lebanon persists, there are fears of demographic changes particularly seen in cities and certain specific communities where the birth rate decreases, although it will also decline in rural communities but to a lesser extent."
He further stated, "The talk of transforming the country into 'voluntary infertility,' as has been rumored, is an inaccurate term with no precise statistics about the decrease in birth rates so far. However, we can refer to 'family planning,' considering that the decline in birth rates is a global phenomenon, comprising both expected and unexpected elements. The latter is subject to social changes, with the economic factor currently taking priority, which is responsible for delaying marriage age for both genders due to the economic burdens placed on any couple intending to marry, especially in Lebanon."
He pointed out that "this matter is significant regarding women, as their social position has changed, with their educational level rising, which further delays marriage age, decreases birth rates, and increases infertility cases due to certain age-related diseases in both genders, thereby impacting fertility."
