The younger generation is being infantilised well into adulthood. A new survey reveals that only 55% of Gen Z and millennials plan to have children. One in four of those surveyed, aged between 18 and 34, has ruled out parenthood entirely, with the most common reason cited being “wanting time for themselves”.
Meanwhile, a 2021 poll from our friends at Pew Research found that about 44 percent of childless adults ages 18 to 49 said they were not too likely, or not at all likely, to have children, a sharp increase from the 37 percent who said the same thing in 2018.
What are the factors affecting Gen Z's decision on being child free?
Factors that affect Generation Z's decision to be child-free include economic motivations, child mortality, social learning, and the age of individuals during periods of economic recession .
Gen-Z feels substantial anxiety and stress about jobs, long-term financial stability and major life steps, such as buying a home and starting a family. The current economy and job market are primary sources of uncertainty for this generation, according to EY's 2023 Gen-Z Segmentation Study.
They asked “People over 50 that chose to be childfree, do you regret your decision? Why or why not?” The people who responded are overwhelmingly happy with their decision not to have children. A surprising number said they felt positive about their decision because they thought they'd be a lousy parent.
Gen Z parents see many advantages to being a younger parent—all revolving around the ability to be a better parent to their child. They are less concerned with how it may impact the plans they have for their own lives. It's not about the personal benefits for themselves.
Based on forecasting and trends, the majority of Gen Z and single millennials will eventually marry. The average age of marriage may be in flux, but it's still as a priority for most people.
When asked to rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 10, Gen Z moms feel they're doing better compared to Millennials in areas such as: Focusing on their children's emotional health. Teaching children to be accepting of all. Allowing them to explore their identities.
Expensive dates, inflation, and loneliness are weighing on Gen Zers seeking romantic connections. Many Gen Zers are focusing on spending time and money with friends. Insider talked to Gen Zers who'd turned away from romance, as well as finance and relationship experts.
For at least 30 years, studies have repeatedly found that people without children are happier than parents in the United States and in many developed countries.
A study from Princeton University and Stony Brook University found that parents and nonparents have similar levels of life satisfaction, but parents experienced both more daily joy and more daily stress than nonparents. “Life without children is simply much more stable,” Glass says.
Even with more people choosing to go child-free than ever before, there are still many who worry that they should have kids before it is “too late.” 1 Whatever your decision, choosing not to have children is never a bad decision, and may be the right one for you.
A growing number of adults in the United States say that they aren't interested in having children. A 2021 study by Pew Research found that 44% of nonparents aged 18 to 49 say that it is “not too or not at all likely that they will have children someday.” That's a 7% increase over the 37% who said the same in 2018.
A little more than a third of Gen Z rated their mental health and emotional wellbeing as “poor” or “only fair.” And while people in all generations are experiencing declining mental health, Gen Z is fairing worse than older generations—according to separate surveys of older adults conducted by Gallup.
The average life expectancy of baby boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z are different. Compared to the 70-year life expectancy of baby boomers and the 85-year life expectancy of Gen X, Gen Z is predicted to have a life expectancy of over 100 years.
They are constantly connected, always on the go, and extremely tech-savvy. As a result, Gen Z is often lauded for being entrepreneurial, innovative, and open-minded. It's important to recognize the strengths of Gen Z because this generation is quickly becoming the largest demographic in the workforce.