Daijiworld Media Network- UN
United Nations, Jun 11: In a sobering revelation, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a grave warning over a steep and unprecedented drop in global fertility rates, signalling a shift that could have far-reaching consequences on economies, societies, and demographic policies across the globe.
According to the UNFPA's latest report, millions of people worldwide are unable to achieve their desired number of children. The decline, while once perceived as a high-income nation issue, now spans a broad range of countries, from developed to developing. The root causes range from the growing cost of raising children and the lack of a suitable partner to broader social, economic, and environmental challenges.
A global survey conducted across 14 countries — including India, the United States, South Korea, Germany, and Brazil — reveals that one in five individuals believe they will not be able to have as many children as they had hoped. A staggering 39% of respondents cited financial burdens as the main barrier to childbearing, with the issue most prominent in countries like South Korea, where it stood at 58%.
In India, 13% of respondents pointed to infertility as a concern — an issue also prominent in nations like Thailand and the United States. Other reasons included changing societal values, increased female education, career priorities, environmental concerns, and urban lifestyle patterns.
UNFPA Executive Director Dr Natalia Kanem emphasized that the concern lies not in the falling numbers alone, but in the growing gap between reproductive intentions and realities. “Most people want two or more children. But many are unable to have even that,” she said, adding that fertility decline is becoming a global phenomenon that deserves urgent attention.
Demographers and policy experts warn against panicked or reactionary measures, especially those that could lead to gender-conservative or anti-immigrant policies. Instead, they urge governments to focus on empowering individuals by addressing the real barriers to parenthood — including high living costs, limited childcare support, and work-life imbalance.
Experts suggest that reversing this trend will require coordinated efforts that combine economic stability, inclusive healthcare, strong family policies, gender equity, and improved access to fertility treatments.
As nations grapple with population ageing and labour shortages, the UN has urged policymakers to move away from alarmist rhetoric and instead focus on creating a social environment that enables people to fulfil their family aspirations — a step that may prove vital for sustainable demographic health in the years to come.