LITTLER, LITTLE BRITAIN

Britain's birth rate has dropped once again, down now to 1.74 children, well below the 2.1 necessary to maintain population levels. With a growing elderly population, the birth shortage will mean an unnacceptable burden placed upon the young in an ageing society.
Or no old age pension.
In Spain, Greece, Germany and Italy, which have not developed family-friendly policies over recent years (unlike the UK), the problem is even worse with levels down to around 1.3 children. New research in the UK shows the highest numbers of women ever choosing to be childless. Europe's low birth rate is expected to cause economic output to slump, while developing countries continue to grow at a rapid rate over the next 40 years.
Picture Die Baba by Marlene Dumas, copyright of the Saatchi Gallery, and will be on display at the new Saatchi gallery in Chelsea, London, when it opens in 2007. To take a virtual tour of the gallery visit www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk.