For decades, some policymakers hoped that muslim immigrants from high-fertility countries—many Muslim-majority—would reverse population decline in Europe and Canada. The thinking: “They’ll have 5+ kids per family.”

Reality check:

• Second-generation immigrants rarely keep large family sizes. Studies show they often have 1–2 children, aligning with the host country’s fertility trends.

• In Canada, even immigrant families eventually mirror the national low birth rate, so relying on immigration alone cannot sustain population growth.

• Population decline is mostly caused by low native fertility, delayed family formation, and economic pressures—issues that immigration alone cannot fix.

Bottom line:
Immigration can help temporarily, but long-term population stability depends on making it viable for everyone—immigrants and natives alike—to have children.

💡 Lesson: Don’t expect a “population boost” from immigration alone; support families and improve economic conditions for lasting change