UN Report Reveals Why Global Birth Rates Are Falling—And It's Not Feminism or Selfishness

UN Report Reveals Why Global Birth Rates Are Falling—And It's Not Feminism or Selfishness

A groundbreaking new global survey by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has debunked some of the biggest myths surrounding declining birth rates, revealing that economic hardship—not feminism, selfishness, or a rejection of family life—is the real reason millions of young people are delaying or abandoning plans to have children.

The findings come from the Demographic Futures Survey, one of the largest studies ever conducted on fertility attitudes. The survey gathered responses from more than 108,000 adults aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries and territories, offering an unprecedented look into why global fertility rates continue to fall.

More Than Half the World Is Now Below Replacement Birth Rates

According to the report released on Tuesday, over 55% of countries and territories now have fertility rates below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman, the threshold needed to maintain stable population levels.

UN data shows the global fertility rate has fallen dramatically—from around five children per woman in the 1950s and 1960s to just above two in 2024. By 2100, that figure is projected to decline further to 1.8 births per woman, raising concerns over ageing populations, shrinking workforces, and future economic growth.

Young People Still Want Children

Contrary to widespread assumptions, the survey found that the desire to become a parent remains strong across the world.

Among adults aged 35 to 39 who do not yet have children, 79% of men and 72% of women said they still hope to become parents.

The report stresses that most young people are not choosing to remain child-free because they dislike family life. Instead, many feel that rising living costs, expensive housing, unstable employment, and financial insecurity have placed parenthood beyond their reach.

As the report explains, public debate has often focused on the wrong question—asking whether young people still value families instead of asking whether society is giving them the opportunity to build one.

UNFPA Rejects Claims That Feminism Is Behind Falling Fertility

The report also dismisses claims that feminism is driving the global fertility decline.

According to UNFPA, millions of women around the world still lack the basic freedom to make decisions about their own reproductive health.

The organisation estimates that:

One in ten women cannot independently decide whether to use contraception.

Nearly one in four cannot make decisions about their own healthcare.

Around one in four are unable to refuse sex.

These findings, the report says, demonstrate that many women continue to face significant barriers to controlling when and whether they have children.

Women Face Greater Challenges Than Men

While men and women expressed broadly similar attitudes toward marriage and family life, women consistently identified greater obstacles to parenthood.

The biggest concerns included:

Financial pressure

Infertility

Chronic health conditions

Healthcare access

Reproductive autonomy

These barriers often prevent women from having the number of children they actually want.

Children Are Still Seen as a Source of Joy

The survey also rejects the notion that younger generations have become too self-centred to start families.

Instead, respondents overwhelmingly cited love, happiness, and the joy children bring as the main reasons they want to become parents—not financial incentives or social expectations.

UNFPA: Young People Haven't Given Up on Family Life

Reacting to the findings, UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita said the survey paints a hopeful picture of young people's aspirations.

> "Young people carry an inspiring sense of hope and a clear vision for their families and futures."

The report concludes that the world's fertility crisis is not being driven by a lack of desire for children, but by economic realities and social barriers that make family life increasingly difficult to achieve.

As governments search for solutions to declining birth rates, the findings suggest that improving affordable housing, stable jobs, healthcare, childcare, and reproductive rights may be far more effective than blaming changing social values.

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