Global Fertility in ‘Unprecedented Decline,’ UN Warns
The world is entering an era of declining birth rates, with millions unable to have as many children as they want — not by choice, but due to rising costs, lack of time, and difficulty finding a suitable partner, a new UN report reveals.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), fertility decline is no longer confined to wealthier nations, but is now a global trend, affecting people from Nigeria to South Korea.
In a survey of 14,000 people across 14 countries, one in five respondents admitted they’ve had — or expect to have — fewer children than they desire. Financial stress topped the list of reasons, with 39% citing affordability as a key obstacle, peaking at 58% in South Korea.
“This is the real crisis,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “Fertility is falling not because people want fewer children, but because they feel they can’t afford or manage to have the families they dream of.”
Namrata Nangia, a working mother from Mumbai, told the BBC her family chose to stop at one child due to mounting expenses and long work hours. “After a working day… you have that guilt, being a mom, that you’re not spending enough time with your kid,” she said.
Interestingly, infertility was cited by just 12% as a barrier — lower than issues like cost and time. However, in countries like Thailand, Nigeria, and the US, the infertility rate was notably higher.
UNFPA is now urging governments to avoid panic-driven pronatalist or nationalist responses. Experts warn against policies that pressure women into childbirth or block migration in the name of population stability.
“This is the first time the UN is confronting low fertility head-on,” said Prof. Stuart Gietel-Basten, a demographer at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “But the solutions must be thoughtful — not panicked.”
As global attention shifts from overpopulation to underpopulation, the question is no longer just how many people the world can support — but how many it’s failing to.
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Global Fertility in ‘Unprecedented Decline,’ UN Warns