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.
Nearly20 per centof reproductive-age adults believe they will be unable to have the number of children they desire.
Nearly1 in 3have experienced an unintended pregnancy.
39 per centreported that financial limitations had affected or would affect their ability to realize their desired family size.
Nearly1 in 5said 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.
Nearly1 in 4have felt unable to fulfil their desire for a child at their preferred time.
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.
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 can 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.
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.
