Global birth rates plummet due to financial struggles, not women's empowerment, says UN report

A new global survey conducted by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) reveals that financial constraints, rather than a rejection of family life or feminist values, are the primary obstacle to young people having children, challenging prevalent assumptions about declining fertility rates.

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The Demographic Futures Survey compiled responses from over 108,000 internet-connected adults aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries and territories, providing a comprehensive insight into the concerns and aspirations of young adults worldwide.

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According to the report, released on Tuesday, public discourse on falling fertility rates has often focused on the wrong issues, questioning the value young people place on family life instead of examining the necessary conditions for forming relationships and raising children.

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UN data cited in the report indicates a significant decline in the average number of births per woman, from approximately five in the 1950s and 1960s to just above two in 2024, with a projected further decline to 1.8 by 2100.

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Moreover, over 55 per cent of countries and territories now have fertility levels below the replacement rate of 2.1 births per woman, underscoring the need for a reassessment of the factors contributing to this trend.

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Despite these trends, the survey found that the desire for parenthood remains strong, with most respondents already having children, and among adults aged 35 to 39 without children, 79 per cent of men and 72 per cent of women expressing a desire to become parents.

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The report challenges claims that feminism is responsible for declining fertility, highlighting that many women lack autonomy over their reproductive lives, with roughly one in ten unable to make decisions about contraception and about one-quarter unable to make decisions regarding their own healthcare.

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Additionally, the survey revealed that men and women hold broadly similar views on family-related decisions, although women consistently rated barriers such as financial concerns, infertility, and chronic health conditions as more significant than men did.

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UNFPA rejected suggestions that young adults are unwilling to become parents, stating that most people are not refusing to become parents for selfish reasons, but rather are citing financial constraints as a primary obstacle.

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Respondents most commonly cited the joy and happiness children bring as their reason for wanting to become parents, contradicting the notion that they are waiting for a better return on investment.

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Diene Keita, Executive Director of UNFPA, noted that young people possess an inspiring sense of hope and a clear vision for their families and futures, and that by breaking down financial barriers and supporting their agency, they can make choices that are right for them.

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By investing in the dreams of young people today, the report concludes, we can build a more resilient and thriving tomorrow.