New York: The world is entering an unprecedented era of fertility decline, warns the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in what it describes as a new global norm where millions of people are unable to have the number of children they want.
In its strongest stance yet on falling fertility rates, the UN’s reproductive rights agency says financial pressures, lack of time, and difficulties finding suitable partners are key reasons why people are delaying or forgoing parenthood.
The findings are based on a global survey of 14,000 individuals across 14 diverse nations, from South Korea and India to Brazil and Sweden, which together represent one-third of the worldwide population.
According to the report, 20 percent of respondents said they had fewer children than desired. In some countries, nearly 60 percent cited financial constraints as a major barrier, the highest in South Korea, compared to just 19 percent in Sweden.
💶 Cost of parenthood
📉 Job insecurity
🏠 HousingHow can we expect people to have children if they can’t afford it?
It’s time we address the #TheRealFertilityCrisis.
Let @UNFPA—the @UN sexual and reproductive health agency—explain how: https://t.co/A5hoSEXbm8 pic.twitter.com/xG76uswgh1
— UNFPA (@UNFPA) June 10, 2025
Additionally, lack of time emerged as an even greater obstacle, particularly for working parents to consider expanding their family.
“What we’re seeing is not about people choosing to have fewer children, but rather being unable to have the families they want,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “That is the real crisis.”
Infertility was cited by only 12 percent overall, though rates were higher in countries like Thailand (19%) and India (13%). Experts caution against policy overreactions, warning that fears around shrinking populations are sometimes used to justify regressive or nationalist policies.
The survey is a pilot for a wider study planned across 50 countries later this year, aiming to inform balanced, rights-based approaches to global demographic challenges.
