Global declines in fertility rates are making headlines, with women and young people all too often blamed for these demographic shifts. But the real fertility crisis is a lack of reproductive agency: Many people are simply not able to create the families they want due to social, economic and health barriers.
Young people are shouldering much of the blame for declining birth rates, thanks to misguided assumptions that they are freely choosing careers or other paths over partnerships and parenthood. Yet in our latest State of World Population report, many young people said they want to partner and parent but are discouraged by various factors, including anxiety about the future, financial stress, health concerns, global conflicts and fears about climate change.
With this in mind, the theme for World Population Day this year is “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world.”
Many young people cite economic uncertainty as a key reason for not having children. In addition, online backlash against women’s rights is contributing to a growing divide in young people’s attitudes. These factors all play a role in lower marriage rates and declining fertility. Young people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, those of migrant origin and those belonging to sexual minorities are further disadvantaged in realizing their aspirations.
Young people need to be empowered as they become adults. Comprehensive sexuality education can play an important role, preparing people to understand their fertility and make informed choices throughout life. In addition, young people must be able to achieve economic independence through secure jobs and adequate pay aligned to the cost of living and housing. Family-friendly policies – affordable childcare, generous parental leave – can help people balance their work and family goals.
Ultimately, we need to build a more equitable, sustainable and peaceful world, one where everyone believes that they and their children can thrive.
To that end, the collection of global data on reproductive agency and fertility aspirations must be rooted in the needs and desires of young people. Policymakers must listen to and engage with young people. Policies must involve representatives across communities – young people, pensioners, ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ persons – in order to ensure that everyone benefits.
“Starting on this World Population Day, let’s listen to what young people want and need and create conditions that enable them to exercise their rights, make their own choices and enjoy a hopeful future,” says UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem.
