Unprecedented Global Drop in Fertility Rates Raises Alarm
A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlights a significant decline in fertility rates worldwide. Based on a survey involving 14,000 respondents from 14 diverse countries, approximately one in five individuals reported they either have not had or do not expect to have their desired number of children. This downward trend marks an unparalleled drop in global fertility.
Financial Stress and Time Demands as Key Drivers
According to Dr. Natalia Kanem, head of UNFPA, the majority of people still desire two or more children, but economic pressures and insufficient time are preventing many from expanding their families. The survey revealed that 39% of respondents cited financial constraints as the principal reason for having fewer children, with South Korea reporting the highest level at 58% and Sweden the lowest at 19%.
Time, especially due to demanding work schedules and long commutes, emerged as another significant barrier. Many participants expressed exhaustion after work hours, leaving little energy to dedicate to family life.
Personal Perspectives Illustrate Broader Trends
Namrata Nangia, an employee in the pharmaceutical sector, shared her family's struggles with balancing costs and time. Living with her husband and their five-year-old daughter, they have repeatedly pondered having another child but face the challenging question: "Can we afford it?"
She explained that, unlike previous generations, raising a child today involves additional expenses such as extra-curricular activities—swimming, drawing classes, and more—adding to the financial burden. Additionally, a daily three-hour commute drains her energy, making parenting a juggling act between professional and personal responsibilities.
Diverse Countries, Common Challenges
The survey spanned countries across income spectrums, including India, South Korea, Brazil, the United States, Italy, and Nigeria—collectively representing about a third of the global population. Aside from finances and time, infertility was cited as a reason for having fewer children by 12% of respondents overall. In India, this figure was slightly higher at 13%, also notable in Thailand, the US, South Africa, and Nigeria.
Shift in UNFPA's Focus on Fertility Trends
This report signals a strategic pivot for UNFPA, which has historically concentrated on reducing unintended pregnancies and improving contraceptive access. Now, the agency is increasingly addressing the realities of low fertility.
Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology remarked on the evolving demographic concerns. "Forty years ago, many countries worried about high populations; by 2015, nations like China, South Korea, Japan, and Thailand were actively encouraging higher birth rates," he noted.
Calls for Balanced, Non-Coercive Policies
Dr. Kanem emphasized caution against extreme government measures attempting to control fertility, warning that "panicked or manipulative policies" can arise from fears of population crises, whether centering on overpopulation or decline.
Professor Gietel-Basten further highlighted the risk that low fertility and demographic aging can be co-opted to fuel nationalist or anti-immigration agendas.
Looking ahead, UNFPA plans to broaden the scope of its research later this year to include data from 50 countries, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of fertility dynamics worldwide.
