Why are people having fewer children? ‘Financial limitations’ top

A new global report illuminates the reasons behind falling birth rates worldwide, suggesting a pervasive theme: a “lack of choice, not desire.” The findings highlight the growing gap between people’s desired family size and their actual ability to achieve it.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released research Tuesday pointing to several key factors driving this trend, including financial strain, job insecurity, gender inequality, and anxieties about the future. The report explicitly challenges narratives blaming women for simply not wanting children, labeling them as “critically flawed.”

“Vast numbers of people are unable to create the families they want,” stated Natalia Kanem, UNFPA’s executive director. “The issue is lack of choice, not desire, with major consequences for individuals and societies. That is the real fertility crisis, and the answer lies in responding to what people say they need: paid family leave, affordable fertility care, and supportive partners.”

The study draws from a YouGov poll across 14 countries representing a substantial portion of the global population. While Canada wasn’t included, countries like the United States, Mexico, India, Brazil, South Korea, and Germany were surveyed.

Here’s a summary of the key barriers identified in the UNFPA report:

• Financial limitations: Ranked as the most significant barrier, affecting over half of those surveyed.
• Job insecurity/unemployment: Impacting approximately one in five individuals.
• High cost of housing: A similar proportion cited this as a major obstacle.
• Concerns about the future: Issues like climate change, wars, and pandemics deterred many from having children.
• Lack of gender-equitable childcare: Uneven distribution of childcare responsibilities between partners.
• Lack of a suitable partner: Standing in the way of people having children.

Across nearly half of the surveyed countries, fertility rates have dipped below the critical threshold of 2.1 births per woman, needed for maintaining population stability without immigration. The report emphasizes that unintended pregnancies remain persistently high, alongside difficulties in achieving desired family sizes, regardless of whether that desire is for zero children or several.

Untapped Potential: The report points to a significant gap between desired and actual fertility rates. Many people want children, but face significant hurdles. One respondent, a 32-year-old from Berlin, Germany, explained on X.com, “My partner and I would love to have two kids, but between rent in this city and the cost of daycare, it feels impossible right now. We’re both working full-time.” Another user commented on Facebook, “It’s not that young people don’t *want* kids, it’s that society makes it financially and logistically prohibitive.”

Twenty percent of those polled reported feeling pressured to have children they didn’t desire, while one in three experienced an unwanted pregnancy. A striking 13 percent reported experiencing both unwanted pregnancies *and* barriers to having a desired child; in some areas, that number soared above 20 percent. “In other words, everywhere we look, people are struggling to freely realize their reproductive aspirations,” the report states. A new era had quietly begun.

Overcoming Barriers: When asked about specific economic obstacles, “financial limitations” emerged as the dominant response, cited by 39% of participants. Roughly 20% identified unemployment or job insecurity, while a similar percentage pointed to the soaring costs of housing. Beyond economics, over 20% expressed concerns about climate change, wars, pandemics, or broader social/political instability, citing these as deterrents to parenthood. Gender inequality, particularly in childcare, was another major hurdle. While 11% felt their partner wouldn’t contribute sufficiently at home, nearly twice as many women felt this way compared to men. Fourteen percent cited the absence of a suitable partner as an obstacle.

More broadly, one in four individuals felt unable to have a child at their preferred time. Child-care expenses and insufficient access to sexual and reproductive health resources were also flagged as significant barriers. It’s important to note that this isn’t just a problem in developing nations; similar trends are evident in countries with robust economies. “It’s not just about affording a child; it’s about affording the kind of life you want for your child,” noted one commenter on Instagram. She further stated “I dont want to raise my kids on ramen noodles due to my choices.”

Though Canada wasn’t directly part of the UNFPA survey, similar trends exist. An Angus Reid poll from last October revealed that more than half of prospective parents have postponed having children longer than they’d prefer, primarily due to living costs and other financial anxieties. According to that poll, 41% cited job market anxieties and financial insecurity as reasons for delaying, while one-third were concerned about childcare costs and the housing market. An Ipsos poll last year indicated that 65% are opting for smaller families due to financial concerns. Canada’s fertility rate has reached a record low, placing it among “lowest-low” fertility nations, according to Statistics Canada.

Achieved Success: The UNFPA report strongly cautions against “coercive” measures to artificially inflate birth rates, like fertility targets or “baby bonuses.” These measures, while seemingly helpful in the short term, can exacerbate the underlying issue of pressuring people into parenthood before they’re ready. Financial incentives, implemented in some European nations, have been openly discussed in the United States. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called “baby bonuses” , cash rewards for new mothers , “sounds like a good idea.” Republican lawmakers have even proposed “Trump Accounts,” providing US$1,000 investment accounts for children born in the U.S., accessible at age 18. However, the UNFPA report advocates for long-term initiatives that empower families to make their own reproductive choices, encompassing investments in affordable housing, mandated paid parental leave, and complete access to reproductive healthcare services, including abortion care. It also emphasized the imperative for societal shifts, particularly encouraging men’s full participation in childcare and family planning. In essence, the report underscores that addressing the decline in birth rates isn’t about manipulating numbers, but about creating a society where individuals can realize their desired family size, free from unnecessary economic and social constraints.

One economist, speaking on the condition of anonymity, argued, “The solution isn’t simply throwing money at the problem. It’s about creating a stable, equitable society where people feel confident about their future, both financially and environmentally. That’s what truly empowers them to make informed choices about family planning.”