The title is objectively wrong. In the nineteenth century, food was the major household budget item, followed by heat and clothing and footwear. That is no lon

The title is objectively wrong. In the nineteenth century, food was the major household budget item, followed by heat and clothing and footwear. That is no longer the case. The article is also superficial about the causes of fertility decline. The fundamental cause is that children are now seen as a low priority compared to middle class goods like university education, housing in a good neighborhood, and travel. This is demonstrated by the U shape of the curve of fertility vs. household income. Low income women can't afford those other things, so they have children, which is achievable for them. High income women can have children as well as the high-priority goods. Middle income women only have enough room in the budget for one or the other, and they don't choose children.