The Nordic model, often touted as a paragon of progressive social policies, has long been the envy of many nations. Finland, in particular, has been praised for its generous parental support programs, designed to encourage and facilitate family growth. Yet, despite these well-intentioned efforts, the country has witnessed a startling decline in its birthrate, plummeting by nearly a third since 2010.
You’re technically correct but it’s one of those “technically correct”s that I would say is so far from people’s actual usage and the way other words work that it’s actually wrong and makes you sound stupid.
You wouldn’t say “The student body are…” or “the rat colony are…” They’re single bodies made up of smaller parts, so they get referred to as singular.
My PI always says “the data are” and it grates on me like nails on a chalkboard. It doesn’t make you sound smarter and more serious, it makes you sound like an out of touch, Reddit brained dipshit.