One chart shows how Gen Zers are way less likely to have kids than older generations at their age
A Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta analysis shows that Gen Zers are significantly less likely to have children in their 20s compared to previous generations. Factors such as economic instability, climate anxiety, and personal choice are cited as primary drivers for this demographic shift.
Why it matters
Declining birth rates among younger generations have long-term implications for economic growth, social safety nets, and future labor markets.
Gen Zers are less likely to have at least one kid than older generations were at the same age. Rawlstock/Getty Images Gen Zers are much less likely to have at least one kid than older generations at the same age. Not wanting kids, affordability problems, and medical challenges are plausible reasons. Having at least three kids is becoming less common across income percentiles, except in the top 1%. Birth rates in the US have been falling for decades, but there's been an especially large drop in the likelihood of Gen Zers in their 20s having a kid compared with their older peers at the same age. For 26-year-old Gen Zers, the likelihood of having at least one kid was 26%, down from 47% for millennials , 50% for Gen X, and 46% for boomers at that age.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in