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Lower birth rates helped close the gender pay gap — Level A1 — blue and yellow i heart you print textile

Lower birth rates helped close the gender pay gapCEFR A1

18 Dec 2025

LevelA1
A2
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Adapted from U. Michigan, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by Sandy Millar, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
79 words
  • A new study says birth rates fell.
  • This helped make pay between men and women closer.
  • Women now earn more compared to the past.
  • Having fewer children changes work and family choices.
  • Many mothers leave work or switch to part-time jobs.
  • Becoming a father often leads to higher pay for men.
  • Delaying children helped some women keep steady jobs.
  • Researchers say better child care can help mothers work.
  • They also say fathers should share more care at home.

Difficult words

  • birth rate — number of babies born in a place each year
    birth rates
  • earn — get money for work or job
  • part-time — work fewer hours than a full job
  • delay — put an action later than planned
    Delaying
  • researcher — person who studies topics and finds facts
    Researchers
  • child care — help and services for looking after children

Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.

Discussion questions

  • Would you prefer part-time or full-time work?
  • Should fathers help with child care at home?
  • Would you wait to have children to keep your job?

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