Despite Declining Fertility Rates, Gen Z Wants Kids – But Two Things Are Holding Them Back

Despite declining fertility rates in Australia, young people still want children. However, their decisions are being influenced by two significant factors: lack of trust in public institutions and concerns about the climate. According to a recent study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, nearly 70% of participants hoped to have children, while only 17% expressed no desire for kids.

Researchers found that trust in public institutions is a key factor in determining whether young people’s hopes are translated into concrete intentions. Those who expressed higher levels of trust were more likely to hope for children compared to those who trusted institutions less. This finding highlights the importance of social cohesion and environmental degradation in shaping family planning decisions.

Concerns about climate change are also influencing Gen Z’s family plans, as many young people are aware of the impact their choices will have on the planet. However, what is striking is the way these concerns intersect with trust in public institutions. As study lead Kirsten Campbell notes, “What’s driving whether their hope is translated into concrete intentions is … trust in the future state of the world.”

The implications of this finding are significant for policymakers and social commentators. If economic stress alone is not the primary driver of Gen Z’s family planning decisions, then what can be done to address the underlying concerns that are holding young people back? The study suggests that supporting young people to achieve their family goals may require more than economic policy alone – it requires attention to social trust, inclusion, and climate action.

Young women are more likely to express concerns about the future and have less trust in institutions. This may be due to the enduring assumption that mothers will bear the bulk of childcare responsibilities. Young women’s awareness of the lack of flexibility and autonomy for working mothers is also influencing their family choice. As Newcastle University lecturer Dr Sheree Gregory notes, “Young women are increasingly aware they do not have a choice between pursuing careers or starting families – but rather must choose which path to take.”

The report’s findings are timely, given the ongoing debate about the role of government in supporting families and promoting social cohesion. Teaching student and youth advocate Scarlet Lee observes that young people today are “very aware” they have a choice between careers and family, but this awareness also highlights the pressure many young women feel to choose between these two paths.

Ultimately, the study’s findings underscore the need for a more nuanced understanding of Gen Z’s attitudes towards family planning. Rather than viewing their decisions as solely driven by economic factors, we must take into account the complex interplay of social trust, climate concerns, and cultural expectations that are shaping their choices.