These figures substantiate the grave concern among developed countries about low birth rates, which will likely create a shortage of young workers as the rest of their ageing populations hit the retirement home circuits.

A recent poll found that most married couples in Japan want fewer than three children, with an average ideal number of 2.48 - the lowest number ever recorded.

Among couples planning to pump out a few offspring, the average number of expected offspring is 2.11, down 0.02 from a previous survey in 2002.

Among couples who plan to have fewer children than would normally be expected of them, 65.9 per cent say that parenting and education cost too much.

Though categorised as a developing country, Thailand should also worry about the population figures.

Our birth rate, according to a recent survey, has slimmed slightly. Moreover, daily killings are taking their toll on the population as well, particularly in the deep South, where more than 1,300 people have died in ongoing violence.

Pessimistically speaking, if this hyperactive rate of killing stays the course and catches on in other developing countries, theoretically their populations would grow at a slower pace than predicted. But the only one smiling would be Mother Nature, for fewer people mean less people exploiting her resource and polluting the environment.

achara_d@nationgroup.com