Indonesia's fertility rate has declined significantly from 2.48 children per woman in 2010 to 2.18 in 2022, according to the country's statistics agency, reflecting changing family planning priorities among young Indonesians.
Financial constraints are driving this demographic shift, with rising living costs and expensive housing making it increasingly difficult for couples to afford raising multiple children in today's economic climate.
The trend mirrors global patterns where economic pressures influence reproductive choices, as highlighted by recent UN Population Fund findings showing that 39 percent of people cite financial limitations as preventing them from having children.
Young Indonesians are increasingly delaying marriage and choosing smaller families, with many prioritizing career establishment and financial stability before starting families, contributing to the overall demographic transition.
This declining birth rate brings Indonesia closer to the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, which the government had targeted by 2025, though the rapid decline now raises concerns about future economic and social implications for the nation's aging population.
