AsianFin — A new United Nations report reveals that the most significant obstacles preventing people from having children are not personal choice, but rather economic hardship and gender discrimination.
These challenges are leaving millions unable to meet their desired family size.
According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the high cost of raising children, job insecurity, expensive housing, global uncertainty, and difficulty finding suitable partners are the main reasons why many people are having fewer children than they would like.
The findings come from the 2025 State of World Population Report, which surveyed individuals across a wide range of countries including South Korea, Thailand, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, the U.S., India, Indonesia, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria—together representing one-third of the world’s population.
Contrary to the belief that people are simply less interested in having children, the majority of respondents said they do want to start families, but feel structural and societal barriers are holding them back. The UNFPA emphasized the need for policies that address these underlying issues to help people achieve their reproductive goals.
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Insights
What are the main findings of the 2025 State of World Population Report?
How does economic hardship impact family planning decisions?
What role does gender discrimination play in family planning according to the UN report?
Which countries were included in the UNFPA survey, and why are they significant?
What are the top reasons individuals cite for not having the desired number of children?
How can government policies effectively address the barriers to family planning?
What trends in family planning can be observed globally from the report?
What specific measures can be taken to reduce job insecurity for families?
How does the high cost of housing affect family planning decisions?
What is the significance of the term 'structural barriers' in the context of family planning?
How do cultural attitudes towards family size differ across the countries surveyed?
What implications does the UN report have for future population growth?
Are there examples of countries successfully overcoming barriers to family planning?
How does global uncertainty influence individuals' decisions about having children?
What potential long-term effects could arise from current trends in family planning?
What are the challenges in finding suitable partners for family planning?
How has public opinion about family size changed in recent years according to the report?
What recommendations does the UNFPA make for improving family planning access?
How do the findings of the report challenge common perceptions about family planning?
What impact could policy changes have on gender equality in relation to family planning?
