This is the first time there are fewer than a million minor children in Finland, according to Statistics Finland's latest population figures.
The number of births last year was the lowest since Finland began keeping records in 1776.
"This is happening too rapidly. We should at least try to slow down the decline in birth rates," said Venla Berg, who works as a leading researcher at the Family Federation's Population Research Institute.
While birth rates are declining around the world, in Finland the change has been particularly rapid. This demographic transformation affects everyone, regardless of whether they want to have children or not.
When asked whether people understand how serious the issue is, Berg had a short answer: "No, they don't understand."
For now, immigration is still helping Finland's population grow. However, the population structure is changing in such a way that soon there will be many elderly individuals for every working-age person.
Issues related to the demographic transition are pushed aside when politicians focus on economic and security matters, according to the population expert.
"In my opinion, this [birth rates] is the biggest issue that policymakers should focus on after the climate crisis," Berg said.
Venla Berg explained what fewer babies really means for Finland.
Less money
Fewer births means there will be a smaller pool of workers and less money to go around in the economy.
According to Berg, existing problems related to demography will only deepen. One example of this is elder care.
"A small number of adults would need to care for many elderly individuals," she explained.
Small towns die
Food production mainly happens in rural areas and small towns. When fewer kids are born in these places, municipalities cut back on family services in response to a shrinking tax base.
This in turn pushes families to move elsewhere.
"The number of children can decrease by as much as 30–50 percent in a short time, ultimately leading to the area becoming uninhabited," Berg said.
Loneliness increases
A significant portion of people's social networks revolves around children. Not having kids also means fewer cousins, aunts, uncles or grandchildren around.
"You can have many close friends of course, but family relationships are generally more enduring," she said.
Berg also noted that the fewer children there are, the less motivated politicians are to invest in raising birth rates. This sends a message that having kids in Finland is difficult.
"Population growth at the moment is not due to an excessive number of births, but because people are living longer," she explained.
Looking for solutions
Investments in children, young people, families and education are key, according to Berg. This type of funding pays off long-term and prevents many problems down the road.
"Kids who are doing well will be able to take care of society when they grow up," she explained.
Berg said she also wants to see school health education classes address the topic of fertility alongside contraception. Studies have shown that young people have a shaky understanding of how much age impacts their ability to have children.
Workplaces could meanwhile project a positive attitude towards family life.
Women's fertile window often coincides with the time they are building their careers.
"No one should feel like they can't start a family because taking time off work will threaten their career prospects."
She also criticises the individualistic way people have come to raise their children in this country. Families need more helping hands around them, according to Berg.
"We have this mindset where we think we have to raise our kids on our own. Instead, we could all help one another."
In addition to more babies, the only other way to solve Finland's future labour shortage is to increase immigration. But greying industrialised countries, including Finland, are all competing for the same pool of immigrants," Berg explained.
Ultimately, Berg emphasised that the overwhelming majority of people who have kids are happy.
"Children bring an enormous amount of happiness and meaning to life," she said.
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