In recent years, world fertility rates have plummeted to the lowest levels in modern history. A recent report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reveals a startling reality: more and more people around the world actually want to have children—but feel that their life circumstances simply aren’t supportive enough.
This isn't just about people being “too lazy to have kids” or about a growing trend of child-free living. The research exposes a deeper irony—it's not unwillingness, but inability (due to financial hardship, lack of time, and unstable living conditions) that’s become the primary driver behind declining birth rates across many nations.
Who Has the Lowest Rates?
If you think developing countries are the ones with the lowest birth rates, prepare to be surprised. According to the World Fertility Report 2024, the lowest fertility rate is found in Macau, with just 0.68 children per woman. For comparison, the ideal replacement rate needed to maintain a stable population is 2.1 children per woman.
Right behind Macau are Hong Kong and South Korea, each with a fertility rate of 0.73. Taiwan is not far off, at 0.86. These figures highlight a growing trend in advanced East Asian countries, where the desire to start a family is increasingly overshadowed by the complex pressures of urban life—a phenomenon now labeled as ultra-low fertility.
Not Just Asia, Europe Is Feeling It Too
Asia isn't alone in this demographic shift. Several European countries also make it into the top 10 lowest fertility rates. Ukraine has dropped to 0.99, Italy to 1.21, and Malta to 1.11. Even Singapore—a highly developed country in Southeast Asia—is now in an alarming position with a fertility rate of just 0.95.
China, once known for its strict one-child policy, now faces a new challenge. With a rate of 1.01, the Chinese government is now actively encouraging families to have three children to counter its population decline.
What’s Driving the Decline?
Here’s where things get interesting. Many assume declining fertility is simply the result of lifestyle changes or the belief that “today’s generation just doesn’t like kids.” But the truth is far more complex.
UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people across 14 countries, including South Korea, Thailand, Italy, Indonesia, and the United States. The result? 39% of respondents said financial constraints were the main reason they were delaying or reducing the number of children they planned to have. In South Korea, that number jumps to a staggering 58%.
It’s not just about money, but also time. In fast-paced urban environments, many people feel they barely have time for themselves—let alone to raise a child.
Long working hours, lengthy commutes, and constant social demands have made daily life feel overwhelming. As a result, the desire to build a family is often postponed—not because the will isn’t there, but because modern life leaves little room to take on the responsibilities of parenting in a balanced and sustainable way.
The Desire to Have Children Still Exists
Surveys show that most people still want to have two or more children. However, many feel they lack full control over their reproductive choices. In fact, 1 in 5 respondents said they have already experienced—or expect to experience—a gap between the number of children they want and the number they actually have.
Even more strikingly, among those aged over 50, around 31% said they were unable to reach their ideal number of children. This isn’t about unwillingness—it’s about inability, driven by various life pressures.
False Narratives and Flawed Responses
Unfortunately, many governments have responded to this issue in misguided ways. From baby bonuses to pro-natalist campaigns, these policies are often short-term fixes, and in some cases, even manipulative. Some countries have gone as far as blaming career women or the “childfree” lifestyle for falling birth rates.
But according to experts, the real solution lies in improving overall quality of life. That includes providing affordable housing, ensuring job stability, expanding parental leave (including transferable leave for grandparents, as in Sweden), and building inclusive reproductive healthcare systems.
The World Needs a More Humane Approach
UNFPA calls this not just a “fertility crisis,” but a crisis of freedom to choose family life. Many want to start families, but feel they can’t. Many have hopes, but live with the fear of not being able to support a child.
Rather than crafting policies that seek to control women’s wombs, governments are urged to remove the barriers that discourage people from having children. What society needs is assurance, that people can build families with dignity, support, and equal opportunities.
