One marriage breaks up and one abortion occurs nearly every 30 seconds in Europe, according to a report by the Institute for Family Policy.
The Evolution of the Family in Europe 2008, based on research from the 27 European Union countries, described the birthrate as “critical,” with almost 1 million fewer babies born last year than in 1980. One in five pregnancies ends in abortion, and two out of three households have no children. In addition, the marriage rate fell by 24 percent between 1980 and 2006.
Jenny Tyree, associate marriage analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said Europe's future hangs in the balance.
"Children are a nation's hope for tomorrow," she said. "Abortion, coupled with fewer births and a high divorce rate, spells social disaster. Hopefully, this report will awaken European nations to the value of marriage and children, so these trends can be reversed."
