The real
fertility crisis

The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world

Download the Report: EN ES FR AR RU

Millions of people around the world are unable to have the number of children they want – whether they want more, fewer, or none at all.

Recently, fertility declines are making headlines, with women all too often blamed for these demographic shifts. Some governments are employing drastic measures to incentivize young people to make fertility decisions in line with national targets.

Animated watercolour of two pregnant women facing each other

But the real crisis is that the most consequential reproductive decision a human being can make – when, whether and with whom to have a child – is being undermined.

Unpacking barriers to choice

Together with YouGov, UNFPA conducted a survey of 14 countries to ask people whether they are having the families they desire. We found that alarmingly high proportions of adults are unable to realize their fertility intentions.

Pink watercolour of two women walking together

Nearly 20 per cent of reproductive-age adults believe they will be unable to have the number of children they desire.

Watercolour of a pregnant women facing away

Nearly 1 in 3 have experienced an unintended pregnancy.

Watercolour of a man placing his hands around a pregnant woman

39 per cent reported that financial limitations had affected or would affect their ability to realize their desired family size.

Nearly 1 in 5 said fears about the future, such as climate change, environmental degradation, wars and pandemics, would lead or had led to them having fewer children than desired.

Nearly 1 in 4 have felt unable to fulfil their desire for a child at their preferred time.

Animated watercolour of a woman breastfeeding

Watercolour of a father holding his daughter

Youth testimonials

Young people overwhelmingly report worries and uncertainty about their futures. Many expect to experience worse outcomes than their parents did. Their concerns about climate change, economic instability and rising global conflicts will be reflected in the choices they make about raising families.

“I want children, but it’s becoming more difficult as time passes by. It is impossible to buy or have affordable rent in my city. I also would not like to give birth to a child in war times and worsened planetary conditions, if that means the baby would suffer because of it.”

Anonymous
Female, 29, Mexico
“The future feels bleak despite the measures being taken by the government. Moreover, a lot of policies worldwide are against women’s healthcare. I feel that this pushes us to stay single and have no children.”

Anonymous
Female, 31, Philippines
“Before I bring a child into this world, I have to fight for the right to do so on my own terms – for same-sex marriage, for surrogacy, for adoption rights and parental recognition – where I am from. Because this isn’t just my fight. It’s the fight of billions of young people trapped in systems that deny them the rights and dignity they deserve.”

Roman
Male, 26, Azerbaijan
“I have one child but don’t plan on having any more. I am unable to do so due to financial instability, precarious employment, unaffordable housing and the high cost of childcare and education.”

Anonymous
Female, 29, Zambia
“There are enough resources on Earth to sustain everyone and more, they are just distributed terribly, which is something we as a society should be working on extensively. I believe we will be able to do this, which will provide me the privilege of having a child without remorse.”

Ilian Sales Segarra
24, Belgium
“Bringing a child into the world is only one step. The real challenge is raising them. And for a favourable upbringing, there must be a good environment and adequate infrastructure.”

Anonymous
Male, 30, Paraguay

Planning for families

Solutions that do not place reproductive choice at the centre have been proven, time and time again, to fail.

Our goal should not be to engineer fertility rates, but to provide individuals with the information and the means to decide freely and responsibly on the number, spacing and timing of their children.

Quality healthcare

A healthy society means ensuring that mothers and children can obtain affordable, accessible and quality healthcare.

Partners who share the load

Individuals need caring, supportive partners who will share the load of childbearing equitably.

Financial security

To plan for the future, individuals must feel secure in their economic situation and trust that they find an affordable place to live for themselves and their families.

Solidarity between generations

When individuals trust their political system to prioritize future investments beyond the next election cycle, they will feel secure in planning for the next generation.

A world worth planning for

Many people would choose to have children if they could be sure the world they are bringing them into offered a clean environment, a healthy economy and a safe place to live.

Animated watercolour of a woman dancing and reaching into the air

Artwork of a young woman in a blue scarf surrounded by paint strokes

The real solution to the crisis of reproductive agency we are facing is to build a more equitable, sustainable and caring world that supports individuals to have the families they aspire to.

A world that we can be proud for the next generation to inherit.