New York: A new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) highlights a global fertility decline, revealing that a growing number of individuals across various regions are unable to have the number of children they desire.
UNFPA report identified key obstacles, including financial pressures, limited time, and challenges in finding a suitable partner. The findings are based on a survey of 14,000 participants from 14 diverse countries, among them the United States, India, Brazil, Nigeria, South Korea, and Sweden. These nations, representing a broad spectrum of income levels and demographic profiles, collectively account for approximately one-third of the global population.
Dr. Natalia Kanem, head of UNFPA, stated that, “The world has begun an unprecedented decline in fertility rates. Most people surveyed want two or more children. Fertility rates are falling in large part because many feel unable to create the families they want. And that is the real crisis.”
“Right now, what we’re seeing is a lot of rhetoric of catastrophe, either overpopulation or shrinking population, which leads to this kind of exaggerated response, and sometimes a manipulative response,” added Dr. Kanem.
Among all respondents, 39 percent said financial limitations stopped them from having children. South Korea reported the highest number at 58 percent, while Sweden had the lowest at 19percent. Even more pressing than money, many cited lack of time as a key obstacle.
Surprisingly, infertility was a smaller factor overall, with just 12 percent pointing to difficulty conceiving. However, the rate was higher in specific countries; Thailand (19 percent), the US (16 percent), South Africa (15 percent), Nigeria (14 percent), and India (13 percent).
The report also highlights that 31 percent of people over the age of 50 had fewer children than they wanted, showing that unmet fertility goals are not limited to younger generations. This trend of ‘undershooting’ fertility expectations has long been observed in Europe and is now appearing globally.
“This is the first time that [the UN] have really gone all-out on low fertility issues. We want to try as far as possible to avoid those countries enacting any kind of panicky policies,” remarked Prof. Stuart Gietel-Basten, a demographer at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
UNFPA had previously focused on reducing high fertility and addressing unmet contraception needs. The current shift in tone reflects growing concern over falling birth rates. Still, the agency warns against drastic policy reactions. This survey is part of a pilot study. UNFPA plans to expand the research to 50 countries later this year.
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