Overview

• The UNFPA’s 2025 State of World Population report surveyed over 14,000 people in 14 countries, representing a third of the global population
• Financial constraints were the leading barrier, with 39% of respondents saying money limited their ability to have the number of children they wanted
• Health concerns and worries about climate change, conflict and pandemics were cited by one in four and one in five people, respectively, as obstacles to expanding their families
• Financial barriers were reported by 60% of South Korean respondents but by fewer than 20% in Sweden, highlighting how national policies affect family formation
• Dr. Natalia Kanem warned that coercive fertility policies can backfire and urged governments to expand paid leave, affordable fertility care and supportive family measures