UN survey finds young adults still aspire to partnership and parenthood despite falling fertility rates

A large-scale United Nations survey has found that young adults worldwide continue to aspire to partnerships and parenthood even as fertility rates fall to historic lows in much of the world. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Demographic Futures Survey, detailed in the report Lives, Choices and Futures, gathered responses from 108,926 internet-connected people aged 18 to 39 across 73 countries and territories (UNFPA press release).

More than two thirds of respondents selected an ideal relationship and living arrangement that includes marriage—either before living together or after a period of cohabitation. Only a small minority preferred remaining single long-term. Nearly 80 per cent viewed partnership as an important precondition for becoming a parent (UN News).

Two children emerged as the most commonly reported ideal family size in five out of seven regional groupings. Among those aged 35–39 without children, a large majority—79 per cent of men and 72 per cent of women—still said they wanted to become parents. The most frequent motivation cited for parenthood was the joy and happiness children bring, selected by about 80 per cent of respondents; government incentives or contributions to the future workforce ranked among the lowest (UNFPA).

Despite these aspirations, many face significant obstacles. Financial security was rated important for forming a partnership by 81 per cent of respondents and for parenthood by 88 per cent. Stable employment (87 per cent) and emotional readiness (85 per cent) followed closely as preconditions for having children. Economic and housing constraints were the most commonly reported barriers, cited as important by 57 per cent for partnership and 72 per cent for parenthood (UNFPA press release).

Among respondents aged 25–39 who ideally wished to marry or live with a partner, about a quarter were currently single and not dating. The share was higher among men (30 per cent) than women (19 per cent). Two thirds of the world’s population now lives in a country or area where the total fertility rate is below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman (Times of India; UN News).

UNFPA Executive Director Diene Keita stated: “Young people carry an inspiring sense of hope and a clear vision for their families and futures. When we break down financial barriers and support their agency, they can make the choices that are right for them.” The survey notes that two thirds of respondents felt somewhat or very positive about the future, even while expressing worries about conflict, economic insecurity and inequality (UN News).

The findings build on UNFPA’s 2025 State of World Population report, which similarly concluded that the gap between desired and achieved fertility stems largely from barriers rather than a rejection of parenthood. The new survey is not statistically representative of national or global populations, as it covers internet-connected young adults and has been weighted by sex, age and education; results offer comparative insights rather than precise population estimates (UNFPA).

UNFPA emphasized that policies should focus on expanding reproductive agency through measures such as affordable housing, decent work, parental leave, childcare support and gender-equal sharing of care responsibilities, rather than coercive fertility targets or simplistic incentives. The report aims to shift debate from assumptions about young people’s values toward the concrete conditions that enable them to form the families they desire.