Why people really stopped having kids: New study uncovers the surprising reasons families are shrinking

A report based on a survey of nearly 10,000 people in more than a dozen countries suggests that cultural influences may help explain falling birth rates, alongside economic pressures such as housing costs. It finds that social acceptance of family life, optimism about the future and views about pets are associated with how many children people want and whether they plan to have more.

Respondents who thought friends would celebrate a new baby wanted 10% larger families and were 20% more likely to intend another child; those who admired a celebrity with more children were 14% more likely to plan another. Preferring pet parenthood was linked to a 30% smaller desired family and 50% lower likelihood of intending more children. The researchers found no statistically significant link between fertility intentions and how household chores were divided or perceived as fair; the article’s final detail on parental encouragement is cut off.