The United Nations has issued a serious warning about a sharp decline in fertility rates around the world. A new report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the agency focused on reproductive rights, describes the fall in birth rates as “unprecedented.”
The UNFPA highlights that hundreds of millions of people are unable to have as many children as they want. High costs of raising children and the difficulty in finding a suitable partner are among the main reasons. This shift could change societies, economies, and government policies worldwide.
What Did the UNFPA Survey Reveal?
The UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people across 14 countries, including South Korea, Italy, Brazil, the US, India, and Nigeria. These countries represent about one-third of the world’s population and cover different income levels and fertility rates.
One in five respondents said they have not had or expect not to have the number of children they desire. The survey included both young adults and older people past their reproductive years.
Dr. Natalia Kanem, head of UNFPA, told the BBC, “The world has begun an unprecedented decline in fertility rates.”
Key Findings
Most people surveyed want two or more children. Yet, many feel they cannot have the families they wish for. Dr. Kanem called this “the real crisis.”
Financial concerns topped the list: 39% of respondents said money problems stopped them from having children. The highest percentage was in South Korea (58%) and the lowest in Sweden (19%).
Only 12% said infertility was the reason for having fewer children than desired. However, infertility rates were higher in some countries, such as Thailand (19%), the US (16%), and South Africa (15%).
Experts Weigh In
Demographer Anna Rotkirch, who advises the Finnish government on population policies, said this decline is a true crisis. She noted that many people have fewer children than they wanted, especially those over 50, of whom 31% reported having fewer children than planned.
Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten from Hong Kong University said this is the first time the UN has seriously focused on low fertility. In the past, the agency mostly addressed the issue of unwanted pregnancies and lack of contraception.
The UNFPA urges caution against panic. Dr. Kanem warned about “catastrophic rhetoric” on both overpopulation and population decline. She stressed that exaggerated responses could lead to policies pushing women either to have more or fewer children, sometimes manipulatively.
What Is Causing the Fertility Decline?
The fall in fertility rates is linked to many factors:
Education and Work: More women are educated and working, which often delays marriage and childbirth.
Changing Values: Traditional views favoring large families are fading. People now often prefer smaller families.
Economic Costs: Raising children is expensive, especially in cities and developed countries.
Personal Goals: Many prioritize careers and personal growth over starting families early.
Access to Contraception: Better family planning allows people to control when and how many children they have.
Health Issues: Infertility is rising due to lifestyle factors like obesity, stress, and pollution.
Age: Fertility naturally decreases with age, especially after the mid-30s for women.
Environmental Factors: Pollution and climate change negatively affect reproductive health.
What Can Be Done to Reverse This Trend?
Experts say there is no simple fix. But several strategies could help:
Economic Support: Stable jobs, higher incomes, and lower child-rearing costs through subsidies and tax breaks.
Family-Friendly Policies: Longer paid parental leave, affordable childcare, and flexible work hours.
Social Change: Promote positive views of parenting and support gender equality at home and work.
Healthcare Access: Expand affordable fertility treatments and reproductive health services.
Global Cooperation: Address poverty worldwide and consider immigration policies to balance population declines.
The UN’s warning highlights a profound demographic change. How countries respond will shape the future of families, economies, and societies for decades to come.
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