Too Expensive to Have Kids: Why Humanity Is "Falling Short" on Children

When mom used to promise as a child that "we can definitely feed one more kid," she clearly didn’t factor in the cost of the school bus, swimming lessons, and a visit to a private doctor. Now, this realism has become a global trend—not just for a mom in Mumbai.

According to a recent UN report, humanity is collectively entering a crisis of unfulfilled (read: unrealized) parental dreams. One in five people on the planet admitted they have fewer children than they would like. And it’s not about laziness or a secret love of silence, but simply a lack of money, time, or suitable partners.

The UN study surveyed 14,000 people from 14 countries—from South Korea to Brazil, from Sweden to India. The geography is as broad as children’s appetites at a party, but the conclusion is the same: most people want at least two heirs. But reality is more like a budget cafeteria menu: "take what you get." And what you usually get is one child (and even that, in installments).

The main barrier is finances. 39% of respondents say their wallet isn’t ready for a bigger family. In South Korea, as many as 58% complained about this; in Sweden, where social benefits are stronger than IKEA, only 19%. You’d think there are countries where conception is physically difficult—like Thailand or the US—but even there, the main problem is not physiology, but economics.

By the way, the UN used to worry about those having more children than they wanted (and handed out contraception in a hurry). Now the focus has shifted: mass "under-birth" threatens population aging, and that means our pensions, too.

Still, experts ask us not to panic globally: the demographic pendulum swings back and forth. Forty years ago, China and Turkey worried about overpopulation, now it’s about underfilled kindergartens.

But one thing is clear: while the "ideal family" becomes an ever more unattainable whim, politicians keep coming up with new recipes—from maternity capital to courses like "How to Choose the Perfect Partner in 10 Minutes." Let’s hope that someday, having children will be a joy again—not just a financial investment project.