Only one in four millennials in England who want children are actively trying to start a family, a study by the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies revealed. The cost of living is cited as a major reason for this trend, with financial concerns being a significant factor for more than a quarter of those surveyed.
Among the 7,200 participants around the age of 32, just over half had already become parents, while half of those without children expressed a desire to start a family in the future. However, only 25% of those who want to be parents or have more children are currently trying to conceive. Financial constraints, including rising housing and childcare expenses, are seen as major challenges that are causing many millennials to delay parenthood.
Women were more likely to report financial concerns than men, with 30% of women compared to 15% of men expressing worries about the costs associated with having children. The study also found that not feeling ready, not having a suitable partner, and work or study commitments were other common reasons for postponing parenthood.
Interestingly, only 3% of respondents cited environmental concerns as a factor in their decision-making process. This indicates that financial and employment constraints are the primary obstacles to starting a family for many millennials in England.
The study also highlighted the uncertainty among a quarter of respondents regarding having more children or becoming parents for the first time. This uncertainty could lead to smaller families and a higher proportion of individuals without children in the future, compared to previous generations.
Dr. Alina Pelikh, the lead author of the study, emphasized the challenges that millennials face when making decisions about starting a family in their early thirties. She pointed out that while those without children are focused on finding partners and establishing their careers, parents are dealing with the responsibilities of balancing family and financial obligations.
In conclusion, the research findings suggest that the current generation is navigating complex issues such as rising living costs and changing career dynamics when deciding on the timing of having children. This highlights the need for policies and support systems that address the financial concerns of millennials and create a more conducive environment for starting and expanding families.
