A recent survey by the Pew Research Center in September has revealed that an increasing number of Americans believe that the declining birth rate will pose challenges for the United States in the future.
According to the survey, 53% of American adults believe that a decrease in fertility will have “some” or “very negative” impact on the country, compared to 47% in a similar survey conducted in May 2024. The study also found that the percentage of those who believe this phenomenon has a positive impact remains consistent with 2024, while the proportion of those who hold a neutral stance has decreased.
In both Republicans and independent voters leaning towards the Republican party, the percentage of those who believe this phenomenon has a negative impact is higher than that of Democrats and independent voters leaning towards the Democratic party. However, the proportion of both groups holding this view has increased compared to the previous year.
The report did not detail the potential negative effects that declining birth rates could have on the country, but a long-term decrease in birth rates could further strain social security and other retirement plans.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows a significant decline in the US fertility rate over the past two decades, dropping from an average of 2.12 children per woman in 2007 to 1.62 children in 2023. Other data indicates that fertility rates in many countries are also decreasing simultaneously.
The Pew survey found that the proportion of American adults believing that the government should help increase the birth rate has significantly decreased. In the September survey, only about one-third of respondents believed that the federal government should play a role in “encouraging fertility,” while 56% of American adults held opposing views.
Those advocating for government intervention suggest expanding tax deductions, mandating paid family leave by employers, and providing free childcare services.
Despite a steady increase in civilian workers enjoying paid family leave benefits in recent years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics data, only 27% had access in 2023. Data from March this year shows that only a very small percentage of private sector employees have childcare benefits.
The “Big and Beautiful Act” signed by President Trump in July established children’s savings accounts applicable to US citizens born between 2025 and the end of 2028. The federal government will provide an initial $1,000 funding for each account, with parents and employers able to add savings.
The Pew survey revealed that 20% of surveyed American adults believe that a future decline in birth rates would benefit the country, with some Americans expressing no intention of starting a family. A survey from April to May 2024 by Pew showed that 57% of childless individuals aged 18-49 expressed no desire to have children, citing reasons such as “not wanting kids,” focusing on activities other than child-rearing, or concerns about the state of the world.
Some believe that having children is a societal expectation rather than a personal desire.
Melissa Kearney, an economics professor at the University of Notre Dame, stated in an interview with NPR that “it’s not that people don’t love kids like they used to, but that today’s society provides more alternative choices… and these choices are now more socially acceptable.”
Rachel Minkin, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, wrote in a recent report that these findings come at a time when the pronatalist movement is gaining attention.
The late conservative activist and founder of TPUSA, Charlie Kirk, always encouraged the younger generation to embrace marriage, parenthood, and prioritize family over career and secular pursuits, aiming to share happiness with loved ones.
President Trump, when evaluating Kirk, said, “We have too many bad philosophies, ideologies, and political ideas, and his ideas are righteous. He talks about family, advocates marriage, and raising children. Upon closer inspection, although it sounds old-fashioned, he is correct.”
(Adapted from a report by “Business Insider”)