Men’s sperm count levels have fallen by half over the last 50 years and many men are choosing not to have children or get married. Some are calling it “spermageddon”, a slightly glib term for a worrying public health emergency. But this crisis is too often ignored by governments, policymakers and religious institutions.

A major 2022 meta-analysis found that sperm concentration in men fell from 101.2 to 49 million/mL between 1973 and 2018, while total sperm count fell by 62.3 per cent. The decline appears to have accelerated since 2000, raising serious concerns about men’s ability to reproduce.

Worldwide, over half of all countries show fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, with 198 out of 204 countries projected in analysis by Lancet/IHME to be below replacement levels by 2100 – and poor male reproductive health is a recognised contributor to infertility.

Ireland’s fertility rate has moved from roughly replacement level to well below it within a decade: from 1.9 in 2015 to 1.5 in 2025. Birth numbers over the same period fell from 65,909 in 2015 to 54,125 in 2025. When birth rates are lower, the population becomes top-heavy with older people and fewer young people underneath to support them, putting a strain on healthcare and social welfare systems.

Alleged sexual abuse by father led to two pregnancies, daughter tells court

Government jet leaves Ireland for Daniel Kinahan extradition from Dubai

Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier says billionaire Maurice Regan trying to ‘destroy’ him

The future of Phoenix Park: How it is facing challenge of an........

© The Irish Times