A new UN report warns that global fertility rates are in "unprecedented decline," with many people unable to have as many children as they want due to rising costs, lack of time, and difficulty finding a partner.

Axar.az, citing BBC, reports that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) surveyed 14,000 people across 14 diverse countries and found that 1 in 5 respondents either haven't had or don’t expect to have their desired number of children.

Financial pressure was the most common reason, cited by 39% of respondents, especially high in South Korea (58%) and low in Sweden (19%). Infertility was a less frequent reason, mentioned by 12% overall, but more in countries like Thailand and the U.S.

The head of UNFPA, Dr. Natalia Kanem, emphasized that this isn't just a demographic issue—it’s a crisis of unmet desires, as most people still want two or more children. The agency is now shifting focus from overpopulation concerns to addressing the new reality of declining fertility, urging governments to avoid panic-driven or regressive policies.

A lack of time, especially due to long working hours and commutes, as seen in the example of a mother in Mumbai, was also cited as a major barrier to expanding families.