New York: Job insecurity, inadequate childcare, and poor health are key factors contributing to the growing fertility crisis, according to the latest report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The State of World Population (SOWP) report highlights that millions of people are unable to achieve their desired fertility goals — which include the freedom to make informed decisions about sex, contraception, and family planning. Rather than panicking over declining birth rates, the report urges a shift in focus toward addressing these unmet reproductive needs.
Based on a UNFPA-YouGov survey conducted in 14 countries — including India — with 14,000 respondents, the report reveals that reproductive autonomy is limited by several challenges.
In India, financial constraints were cited by 40% of respondents as a major obstacle to reproductive freedom. Other significant barriers included housing issues (22%), job insecurity (21%), and the lack of reliable childcare (18%) — all of which make parenthood seem increasingly unattainable.
Health-related challenges also played a role, including poor overall well-being (15%), infertility (13%), and limited access to pregnancy-related healthcare (14%). Additionally, anxiety driven by climate change, and political and social instability further discourages family planning. Around 19% of those surveyed said they experienced pressure from partners or family to have fewer children than they desired.
“India has achieved notable success in reducing fertility rates — from nearly five children per woman in 1970 to around two today — largely due to improved education and greater access to reproductive healthcare,” said Andrea M. Wojnar, UNFPA’s Representative in India.