NEW YORK, June 11: A couple has been considering having another child since their daughter turned five. However, the question that keeps arising is: "Can we afford it?"

Living in Mumbai, the woman works in the pharmaceutical industry, while her husband is employed at a tyre company. The expenses of raising just one child are already overwhelming—school fees, the school bus, swimming lessons, and even routine doctor visits all add up.

She recalls that childhood was different when she was growing up. "We just went to school, no extracurricular activities. But now, kids have to attend swimming, drawing classes, and participate in other activities."

A recent report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN agency focused on reproductive rights, shows that this situation is becoming a global trend. The agency has taken a strong stance on declining fertility rates, warning that hundreds of millions of people are unable to have the number of children they desire, citing the high cost of parenthood and lack of suitable partners as key reasons.

UNFPA surveyed 14,000 people across 14 countries about their fertility intentions. One in five said they have not had—or do not expect to have—their desired number of children.

The countries surveyed—South Korea, Thailand, Italy, Hungary, Germany, Sweden, Brazil, Mexico, the US, India, Indonesia, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria—represent about one-third of the global population. These countries vary in income levels and fertility rates. The survey included both young adults and those past their reproductive years.

"The world has begun an unprecedented decline in fertility rates," said the head of UNFPA. "Most people surveyed want two or more children. Fertility rates are falling largely because many feel unable to create the families they want. That is the real crisis."

A demographer who studies fertility intentions in Europe noted that this acknowledgment of a fertility crisis marks a shift in perspective. "Overall, there is more undershooting than overshooting of fertility ideals," she said, expressing surprise that 31% of respondents over 50 reported having fewer children than they wanted.

The survey, which is a pilot for a larger study planned in 50 countries later this year, has some limitations. For example, sample sizes for specific age groups within countries are too small to draw firm conclusions.

However, some findings are clear. In all countries surveyed, 39% of respondents said financial constraints prevented them from having a child. The highest percentage was in South Korea (58%), and the lowest in Sweden (19%).

Only 12% cited infertility or difficulty conceiving as a reason for not having their desired number of children, although this figure was higher in Thailand (19%), the US (16%), South Africa (15%), Nigeria (14%), and India (13%).

This marks the first time the UN has addressed low fertility issues so directly. Until recently, the focus was more on women having more children than desired and unmet contraception needs.

Still, UNFPA urges caution in responding to low fertility concerns. The agency warns against exaggerated or manipulative reactions — whether pushing for higher or lower birth rates.

The head of UNFPA noted that 40 years ago, countries like China, Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Turkey worried about overpopulation, but by 2015, they shifted to encouraging higher fertility.

A demographer added, "We want to avoid panicked policies. Unfortunately, low fertility, population aging, and stagnation are sometimes used as excuses for nationalist, anti-migrant, and gender-conservative policies."

UNFPA also found that beyond finances, lack of time is an even greater barrier to having children. This rings true for the Mumbai-based woman, who spends at least three hours commuting daily. Exhausted after work, she still wants to spend quality time with her daughter, though her family often gets little sleep.

"After a working day, there's guilt as a parent for not spending enough time with the child," she said. "So, we’re just going to focus on one."