少しょう子し

noun

low birth rate; few children per family

Refers to a demographic trend of having fewer children. Often used in discussions of societal aging and population decline. Compare with 少子化 (declining birth rate).

See also: 少子化

• 少しょう子し高こう齢れい化かが進すすんでいる。

  The population is aging and the birth rate is declining.

• 少しょう子し対たい策さくとして、育いく児じ支し援えんが拡かく充じゅうされた。

  Childcare support was expanded as a measure against the low birth rate.

noun

youngest child

Rare standalone use; more commonly encountered in compound words like 末っ子 or 末子. When used alone, it may be ambiguous without context.

• 彼かれは三さん人にん兄きょう弟だいの少しょう子しだ。

  He is the youngest of three siblings.