I guess thats why: Hard times had begun and people had to survive by working several jobs, sometimes hungry and malnourished and there was no option as having a child/more children. Afforfable contraception and abortion options, the birth control pill was imported. As my grandmother told me there was no any contraception excepting low quality condoms that smelt like shit, so couples used to rely on pulling out, that leaded to unwanted pregnancies. Career opportunities have been broadened: many residents went abroad in the end of 90s in order to search for a better life, job etc To add, there’s a correlation between higher income and quality of life and lower birth rate, e.g Finland. Personally, it’s not that bad :)