Why are buttons smaller these days?

I haven’t noticed any difference myself
Have your fingers become less athletic ?

I’ve not noticed either. On the contrary, I’ve often struggled to get buttons of the smaller sort for MrA’s shirts that I seem to be constantly making……..nearly every week he will show me some fabric online that will ‘make a fabulous summer shirt for the holidays’! Bless him 😂

Or maybe fingers are bigger😉

No definitely smaller at least on the clothes I’ve bought recently.

I have noticed this. I struggle with tiny buttons on several shirts and blouses. Two old linen MS shirts have very small buttons and button holes so maybe it's not a very new thing. Very fiddly when in a hurry and my fingers are fine. And these buttons are covered by a flap of material...what is that flap called....which makes buttoning up even more fiddly.
But I love the shirts. They have reached a comforable softness.

It isn't so much the buttons being smaller, but the smaller button holes which create the difficulty.