Job insecurity and the rising costs of housing are currently two of the most significant challenges affecting reproductive choices for millions globally, as reported by the United Nations on Tuesday. The organization has raised alarms regarding a “fertility crisis” that warrants immediate attention and intervention. This crisis isn’t merely a reflection of personal preferences; it has deep socio-economic roots that are affecting people’s ability and desire to start families.
In collaboration with market research firm YouGov, the UN’s sexual and reproductive health agency, known as UNFPA, conducted an extensive survey across 14 nations to assess the aspirations and realities of individuals wishing to have families. Their findings revealed a concerning trend: nearly 20% of adults of reproductive age expressed doubts about their ability to have the number of children they desire. This statistic underscores a growing dissonance between individual aspirations and socio-economic realities that can hinder family planning.
Among the 10,000 survey respondents, 39% cited “financial limitations” as a significant barrier to having children. The repercussions of these financial constraints were particularly pronounced in countries like the Republic of Korea, South Africa, and Thailand, where more than half of the respondents identified financial insecurity as a key concern. In addition to financial worries, job security emerged as another leading deterrent for potential parents; 21% of participants identified unemployment or a lack of job stability as significant concerns.
Housing constraints were another pressing issue. Many individuals voiced fears related to climate change, conflicts, and global pandemics, indicating that societal and environmental uncertainties heavily influence family planning. A poignant statement from a 29-year-old woman from Mexico encapsulated this sentiment: “I want children, but it’s becoming more difficult as time passes by… I would not like to give birth to a child in war times and worsened planetary conditions if that means the baby would suffer because of it.” Such remarks reflect the anxiety many feel about bringing new life into a world fraught with challenges.
Further complicating the picture are additional factors such as the absence of a suitable partner and limited access to childcare, which further inhibit family planning. Dr. Natalia Kanem, the executive director of UNFPA, articulated the dilemma succinctly: “The issue is lack of choice, not desire…. That is the real fertility crisis.” Dr. Kanem stresses the need for societies to align policies with people’s needs, including offering paid family leave, affordable fertility care, and creating supportive environments for partnerships.
A stark contrast emerges when examining unintended pregnancies, with nearly one in three individuals reporting such experiences. The situation is particularly dire in some regions; for instance, in Morocco, the figure rises to 51%. This discrepancy highlights a complex landscape where the freedom to choose when and how to have children is not uniformly available.
The UN report notes that governments tend to prioritize societal or national needs over individual choices, sometimes resulting in coercive policies and financial incentives that manipulate fertility rates. For instance, some countries impose restrictions on abortion, while others impose limitations on voluntary sterilization, as seen in Japan. In Nigeria, substantial numbers report having more children than they desired, largely attributed to inadequate access to family planning services in poorer communities.
The UN’s findings suggest that fostering both intended pregnancies and preventing unintended ones are not merely personal issues—they have profound implications for human rights and individual well-being. To address these interconnected issues adequately, it’s essential that supportive policies and a conducive environment be established. This includes broadening the focus beyond women to involve men and encompassing diverse family structures, including those in the LGBTQ+ community and single parents.
Solutions proposed in the report include programs aimed at alleviating poverty, ending gender-based violence, and supporting single mothers and LGBTQ+ individuals. By addressing these systemic barriers, societies can better enable individuals to achieve their family aspirations.
In total, the survey captured insights from diverse nations, including the United States, South Korea, Thailand, India, and others that collectively represent more than a third of the global population. This extensive research involving over 14,000 individuals aged 18 to 88 calls for a concerted response from policymakers worldwide to tackle the looming fertility crisis and ensure that individuals can realize their desire for family if they choose to do so.
