The findings come from a massive new global survey of over 14,000 people by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) – spanning 14 countries on five continents: four in Europe, four in Asia, three across Africa and three from the Americas.
The UNFPA used to be one of the main global organisations warning against overpopulation but now most people live in countries with below replacement level fertility and ageing populations.
More than half of respondents said financial factors such as affordable housing, childcare options and job security were things that had limited, or would limit, their ability to grow their families.
One in four said health issues were holding them back, while a fifth of respondents mentioned fears about global issues including climate change, wars and pandemics.
“Vast numbers of people are unable to create the families they want,” said Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UNFPA.
“The issue is lack of choice, not desire, with major consequences for individuals and societies”.
