Iowa can't reverse birth rate declines: Eathington

Liesl EathingtonLiesl Eathington, research scientist, was quoted in a May 19 Des Moines Register story, "COVID-19, 'baby bust,' demographic changes: Iowa may soon see fewer births than deaths."

Eathington said the good news is that the flow of Iowa-born young adults to other states has slowed in recent years.

"It's like if you think of a bucket with a hole in it — the hole is a little bit plugged," she said. 

There's no easy way to reverse birth rate declines among the young adults who already are here, she said.

"You can't really talk someone into having children," Eathington said.

This story also covered in:
Ames Tribune, May 19
Burlington Hawk Eye, May 19