A new global survey conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has challenged common narratives surrounding declining birth rates, concluding that financial hardship and economic uncertainty—not a rejection of family values, feminism or selfishness—are preventing many young people from having the number of children they desire.
The findings are contained in the Demographic Futures Survey, which collected responses from more than 108,000 internet-connected adults aged between 18 and 39 across 73 countries and territories.
According to the report, obtained on Tuesday from the UNFPA website, public discussions about falling fertility have often focused on the wrong issues by questioning whether younger generations still value marriage and family life instead of addressing the economic and social conditions that influence decisions about parenthood.
The agency noted that while concerns about declining birth rates continue to dominate policy debates in many countries, evidence suggests that most young adults still want to have children but are being held back by circumstances beyond their control.
UN demographic data cited in the report shows that the global average number of births per woman has dropped significantly over the past several decades.
The average fertility rate has fallen from around five births per woman during the 1950s and 1960s to just above two births per woman in 2024.
The report projects that the figure will decline further to approximately 1.8 births per woman by the year 2100.
According to the agency, more than 55 per cent of countries and territories now record fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman required to maintain stable population growth over time.
Despite the downward trend, the survey found that the desire to become parents remains widespread among young adults.
Most respondents already had children, while a large proportion of those without children still expressed a strong wish to become parents in the future.
Among adults aged between 35 and 39 who do not currently have children, 79 per cent of men and 72 per cent of women said they still hoped to have children.
The report argues that these findings contradict assumptions that younger generations are deliberately choosing child-free lifestyles because they no longer value family life.
UNFPA also dismissed the argument that feminism is responsible for declining fertility rates, pointing instead to the continued lack of reproductive autonomy experienced by millions of women worldwide.
According to the report, approximately one in every ten women cannot independently decide whether to use contraception.
It further stated that around one-quarter of women are unable to make decisions regarding their own healthcare, while a similar proportion lack the ability to refuse sexual relations.
The survey also examined differences between male and female perceptions of barriers to parenthood.
Although both genders expressed similar aspirations regarding family life, women consistently rated financial difficulties, infertility and chronic health conditions as greater obstacles to having children than men did.
UNFPA stressed that the survey findings undermine claims that younger adults are simply unwilling to embrace parenthood.
“Most people are not selfishly refusing to become parents, nor are they waiting for babies to promise a better return on investment,” the report stated.
Instead, respondents overwhelmingly identified the emotional fulfilment, happiness and joy associated with raising children as their primary motivation for wanting to become parents.
The agency maintained that many prospective parents are delaying or reducing family size because of financial insecurity, rising living costs, housing challenges and uncertainty about the future.
Commenting on the findings, UNFPA Executive Director, Diene Keita, said young people continue to demonstrate optimism about building families despite the obstacles confronting them.
“Young people carry an inspiring sense of hope and a clear vision for their families and futures,” Keita said.
She emphasised that governments and policymakers should focus on removing financial and structural barriers that prevent people from making the family choices they genuinely desire.
“When we break down financial barriers and support their agency, they can make the choices that are right for them. By investing in their dreams today, we are building a more resilient and thriving tomorrow,” the report added.
The UNFPA said the findings should encourage governments to prioritise policies that improve economic security, healthcare access, housing affordability and reproductive rights rather than attributing declining fertility to changing cultural values.
