In short:
Israel is the only wealthy nation maintaining a birth rate well above replacement, and Jim Penman explains why.
In this episode, he shares how culture, community, and religious independence shape Israel’s fertility outcomes.
These insights offer practical lessons for countries struggling with population decline.
Introduction
In this episode of Conversations with Jim Penman, Jim answers a key question: Which countries are successfully addressing the global birth rate crisis?
The discussion focuses on Israel’s fertility rate solutions, a topic that matters as many nations fall well below replacement levels.
Jim explains why Israel stands out, how its communities maintain strong cultural structures, and why Western countries can learn from its approach.
To learn more about Jim’s broader views on population and social stability, visit the Jim’s Group’s official site.
Few topics are as urgent today.
With countries like South Korea at a fertility rate of 0.7 and Japan at 1.1, the long-term social and economic effects are significant.
Jim’s insights help frame practical ideas for policymakers and communities.
Why Is Israel the Only Developed Country With Above-Replacement Fertility?
Israel’s total fertility rate sits around 3.0, nearly double the OECD average of 1.6.
According to the OECD Family Database, Israel remains the only wealthy nation with a fertility rate above replacement level.
Jim explains that multiple factors contribute to this exceptional trend.
Israel is the only OECD country above replacement… they’ve done it right.
Key factors include:
- Strong family-oriented culture
- Communitarian values
- Highly cohesive social groups
- Normalization of larger families
Even secular Israeli families have fertility rates close to replacement, which is remarkable compared to other secular populations worldwide.
What Makes Israel’s Communities So Fertility-Friendly?
Jim highlights that Israel’s social fabric is unlike most Western societies.
Their cultural norms emphasize group belonging, shared identity, and communal responsibility.
This shapes attitudes toward family size.
How Communal Culture Supports Higher Birth Rates
Youth groups and community movements build lifelong cohesion.
Mandatory army service fosters strong group identity and mutual loyalty.
Patriotic and religious traditions reinforce family bonds.
It’s not me against everybody else. It’s us together.
Jim explains that cooperative social expectations differ from competitive environments seen in East Asia, where birth rates have fallen dramatically.
How Do Religious Communities Sustain Large Families?
One of Israel’s strongest drivers of fertility is the Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) community, where families commonly have six to eight children.
Jim compares them to similar high-fertility groups like the Amish.
Why Religious Groups Maintain Higher Fertility
- Strong social norms encouraging large families
- Clear religious identity and purpose
- Insularity from outside cultural pressures
- Reinforced rituals and traditions
Jim calls religion a form of “cultural technology” that preserves community values across generations.
Why Maintaining Cultural Separation Works
- Community schools reinforce shared norms
- Traditions prevent rapid assimilation
- Geographic clustering strengthens identity
Countries that allow religious minorities to maintain their cultural boundaries may indirectly support higher fertility.
What Policies or Social Choices Can Other Countries Learn From Israel?
Jim says Western nations cannot copy Israel directly, but they can support cultural groups that naturally sustain higher fertility.
The only practical thing you can do in a Northwestern society is to allow these groups to be separate.
Practical Approaches That Might Help
- Support religious schools through regulatory freedom
- Avoid policies that undermine traditional values
- Encourage communities to live close together
- Protect the autonomy of minority cultural groups
Jim gives examples:
- The U.S. is allowing Amish schools
- Australia permits Jewish and Christian schools to run within their values
- These systems keep communities intact and maintain fertility across generations.
Could High-Fertility Communities Stabilize National Population Trends?
Jim notes that high-fertility groups like the Amish grow rapidly.
With a doubling rate each generation, they could number 300 million Americans in 200 years if trends continue.
Why This Matters
- Stable populations reduce economic strain
- Cultural continuity strengthens social cohesion
- High-fertility groups can offset national decline
However, Jim cautions that broader societal collapse may occur before such demographic shifts fully mature.
Why does Israel have the highest fertility rate in the developed world?
Because of a strong communal culture, religious traditions, and social norms that support larger families.
Are secular Israelis also having more children?
Yes. Even secular Israeli families have near-replacement fertility, unlike other secular populations.
Can Western countries copy Israel’s fertility model?
Not directly, but they can support minority communities that already maintain high fertility.
How do religious schools affect fertility?
They preserve cultural values, strengthen community identity, and reduce assimilation pressures.
What external source supports these fertility statistics?
The OECD reports a global wealthy-nation average of around 1.6 children per woman.
Key Takeaways
- Israel’s fertility rate is the only one above replacement in the OECD.
- Cultural cohesion, religious identity, and community structures drive high fertility.
- Supporting minority communities may help stabilize population trends.
- Jim highlights “cultural technology” as a key driver in sustaining large families.
- Western societies can learn from Israel without replicating it directly.
Want to hear Jim Penman’s full insights?
Watch the podcast episode to learn why Israel’s fertility rate solutions matter and how Jim believes communities can strengthen population stability.
Interested in more research, updates, and commentary from Jim Penman?
Visit jimpenman.com.au to join the mailing list, read his latest articles, and get notified when his upcoming book becomes available.