According to data from *World Population Prospects*, the birth rate or total fertility rate (TFR) in ASEAN has decreased over the last three decades.
The largest decrease occurred in Laos. In 1990, Laos's TFR was still at 6.08, meaning that each woman, on average, gave birth to 6 children during her reproductive years.
However, by 2022, Laos's TFR had drastically decreased to 2.45. Cumulatively, from 1990 to 2022, Laos's birth rate fell by 59.77%.
A similar decline occurred in other ASEAN member countries. Singapore had the lowest birth rate, as shown in the graph.
Here is a breakdown of the percentage decrease in birth rates in ASEAN during the period 1990-2022:
* Laos: down 59.77%
* Cambodia: down 58.86%
* Timor Leste: down 47.56%
* Malaysia: down 47.04%
* Brunei Darussalam: down 46.38%
* Vietnam: down 46.02%
* Singapore: down 42.36%
* Myanmar: down 39.97%
* Philippines: down 37.38%
* Thailand: down 36.96%
* Indonesia: down 30.51%
Based on the data above, Indonesia experienced the smallest decrease in birth rate in ASEAN during the period 1990-2022. In 2022, Indonesia's TFR was also relatively high compared to its neighboring countries.
Amidst these conditions, the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) assesses that Indonesia is not experiencing a sex recession.
"In Indonesia, almost 4.8 million children are born each year. So, it's far from a sex recession, if interpreted as a decrease or unwillingness to have children," said BKKBN Head Hasto Wardoyo, as reported by *Antara* on Sunday (29/1/2023).
"People in Indonesia who want to have families tend to be pro-procreation or have offspring, that's almost 99 percent. Ask couples of childbearing age or newlyweds, their goal is certainly procreation," said Hasto.
"I also assure you that on average, one woman (in Indonesia) still gives birth to one daughter as well. So there's no need to worry about a recession from the reproductive side," he added.