A new United Nations report reveals that the global decline in birth rates is not due to a lack of desire for children. Financial hardship, inadequate healthcare, gender inequality, and other social barriers that limit reproductive choice.
The 2025 State of the World Population Report, released by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), stresses that people around the world are increasingly unable to have the number of children they want. Contrary to claims by some right-wing governments that declining fertility is caused by a societal rejection of parenthood, the UN says the real issue is a lack of support and resources.
Economic Strain Tops the List
In an online survey of 14,000 people across 14 countries—representing a third of the global population—40% of respondents said financial challenges were the main reason they’re having fewer children than they wish. These challenges include:
- The high cost of raising children
- Job insecurity
- Expensive housing
21% also cited general insecurity about the future—including climate change and armed conflict—as a deterrent to having children.
In addition, 13% of women and 8% of men pointed to unequal domestic responsibilities as a limiting factor.
Infertility Is a Minor Factor
Only 12% said infertility or trouble conceiving was their main barrier to having children. However, this figure was higher in some countries—such as Thailand (19%), the U.S. (16%), and South Africa (15%).
A Global Sampling
Countries surveyed include a diverse mix of high- and low-income nations and fertility rates:
- Lowest fertility rate: South Korea
- Highest fertility rate: Nigeria
- Others: India, U.S., Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Thailand, South Africa, Italy, Morocco, Sweden, and Hungary
While local conditions influenced responses, a key takeaway, according to UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem, is that “fertility rates are falling in large part because many feel unable to create the families they want.”
What Makes a Difference?
Even in countries with strong social policies, like Sweden—where parents get 480 days of paid parental leave—birth rates remain low. In contrast, in South Korea, 60% of people cited financial limitations as a barrier, compared to just 19% in Sweden.
UNFPA’s editor Rebecca Zerzan and experts like University of Manchester professor Arkadiusz Wisniowski agree: there is no single cause. Falling fertility rates stem from complex and overlapping social, economic, and policy issues—not from a simple rejection of parenthood.
The UN plans to expand this pilot study to 50 countries later this year to gain deeper insights into global reproductive trends.
