News
Global Decline in Birth Rates: Unpacking the Factors
2025-06-13 23:01
Global fertility rates have plummeted to less than half of what they were in the 1960s, falling below replacement levels in most countries, according to a UN report. Nearly 20% of adults from 14 surveyed countries report being unable to have as many children as desired, not due to infertility but barriers such as financial limitations, lack of childcare, unemployment, and concerns about global issues like climate change and political instability. The report highlights that economic pressures, restrictive reproductive health policies, and societal challenges hinder family growth. Shalini Randeria emphasizes governments' responsibility to support work-life balance, healthcare, and welfare for improved reproductive choices. Despite declining fertility, many governments implement measures to incentivize childbirth, yet the real issue remains a "crisis in reproductive agency," where individuals struggle to make free, informed decisions about reproduction. Additionally, restrictive abortion laws and inadequate family planning access further complicate the situation globally.