Birth rates in European countries recently have reached a "historic low," with the most "precipitous" and recent fall occurring in Eastern Europe, the New York Times reports. All European countries recorded birth rates of more than 1.3 children per woman in 1990, but in 2002, 15 counties had rates below 1.3 children per woman, and six countries had rates between 1.3 and 1.4 children per woman. According to a report released recently by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, France's birth rate of 1.8 makes it the only European country with the possibility of maintaining its current population through births. In addition, the average age at which women have their first child in many countries has increased from the early 20s to around 30 in the last 20 years. European Union officials have estimated that there will be a shortage of 20 million workers in E.U. countries by 2030 if current birth rates are sustained. According to the Times, access to contraception and abortion "has turned childbearing into a choice rather than an act of nature" on the continent. In Eastern Europe, the dissolving of policies in many former Communist countries that provided child care, education and housing for couples with children has "dramatically changed the equation," the Times reports. Emerging private markets in Eastern Europe have not adequately replaced annulled government programs, and women have increased opportunities for education and careers, Jitka Rychtarikova -- a professor of demographics at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic -- said. Almost all governments on the continent are increasing incentives to have children, and Vladimir Spidla, E.U. commissioner for employment and social affairs, has asked that every new E.U. policy be evaluated for its potential effect on demographics. Many countries in Europe offer maternity leave, but the long length and small payments during the leaves often make it difficult for women to re-enter the workforce, according to the Times (Rosenthal, New York Times, 9/4).