One in eight Danish children now grow up without siblings

Seven-year-old Anton Løber Halling has no siblings, so he spends his summer holiday searching for playmates. At Søhøjlandet Feriepark, he scours the climbing frames and trampolines, hoping to make a new friend.

Denmark has seen a rise in only children, with 13,191 more since 2010, according to Statistics Denmark. Now, one in eight children grow up without brothers or sisters.

Peter Fallesen, a research professor in demography at the Rockwool Foundation, cites several reasons for the trend. More women are now of childbearing age, increasing the overall number of births. Additionally, women are having their first child later in life, sometimes requiring fertility treatment, which can be physically and mentally demanding. Until recently, public funding in Denmark did not cover a second round of fertility treatment, leading some to stop after one child.

Anton’s father, Jacob Halling Hansen, was an only child until age ten. He once dreamed of having two children but now values the simplicity of raising one. Still, he acknowledges the appeal of a larger family.

Fallesen notes that only children perform as well as firstborns in school, often achieving higher grades and pursuing longer educations. While stereotypes suggest only children struggle to share, research does not support this. The shift may lead to a slightly more productive population, though the overall impact will be modest.

For now, Anton continues his search for friends. When he spots a boy playing football, he asks directly: “Will you be my friend?” The answer is yes, and they play together. Anton admits he would like a little brother or sister but adds, “At least no one teases me.”