One chart shows how Gen Zers are way less likely to have kids than older generations at their age
An analysis shows Gen Zers in their 20s are much less likely to have at least one kid than millennials, Gen X, and boomers at their age.
Recent data reveals Gen Zers are significantly less likely to have children compared to older generations at the same age. A study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta analyzed National Survey of Family Growth data up to 2023, finding that 26% of 26-year-old Gen Zers have at least one child, compared to 47% of millennials, 50% of Gen Xers, and 46% of boomers at the same age.
This stark difference is attributed to various factors, including not wanting children, affordability challenges, medical issues, and rising costs associated with parenthood. While birth rates have been declining for decades in the US, the drop among Gen Zers in their 20s is particularly pronounced. Julie Hotchkiss, a research economist at the Atlanta Fed, attributes the lower probabilities to a combination of factors, emphasizing that it's not just the younger generation being selfish but also a genuine medical concern.
Additionally, financial pressures, such as the high cost of raising a child, have deterred many from starting families. The research also highlights a broader trend of smaller families across all income levels, except for the top 1%, where the likelihood of having three or more children has remained relatively stable. The US fertility rate stands at 1.6 births per woman, below the replacement rate of 2.1, which could lead to slower population growth and ultimately a shrinking population by 2056.
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