High Cost of Living, Not Infertility, Drives Falling Birth Rates
A new UN report reveals a global fertility crisis driven not by a rejection of parenthood, but by a lack of reproductive agency. Financial constraints, inadequate healthcare, and gender inequality significantly limit people’s ability to have their desired number of children. The report, based on a survey across 14 diverse countries, found that economic barriers are the most commonly cited reason for having fewer children than desired, highlighting the need for supportive government policies. Instead of coercive measures, the UN advocates for expanding access to affordable childcare, paid parental leave, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare to empower individuals to make informed choices about family planning.
John Q. Hosedrinker