New research reframes the global drop in birth rates as a response to financial insecurity and structural barriers rather than shifting values. An extensive UNFPA survey shows that people worldwide, including in Thailand, are having fewer children than they want mainly due to money troubles, unstable jobs, and housing pressures. The findings challenge the “birth-rate crisis” narrative and point to policy solutions that address the true costs of parenting.
Across nations, a gap remains between desired and actual family size. Thirty-nine percent of respondents cited financial constraints as the main reason for having fewer children than planned, while 40 percent pointed to job insecurity and housing inadequacy. Only 38 percent felt they reached their target, and 31 percent reported fewer children than hoped. The data indicate economic barriers are the primary obstacle to larger families, not a lack of interest in parenting.
Thai experts note that the national experience mirrors global trends. Thailand’s fertility rate sits at a historic low, well below replacement level, influenced by rising living costs, housing pressures, and concerns about stable employment. Demographers at leading Thai universities stress that structural factors, not cultural attitudes, shape family decisions. The trend has implications for the country’s future workforce and economic resilience amid rapid urbanization and rising costs.
The pattern is consistent across Asia and beyond: financial uncertainty delays marriage and parenthood. In Thailand, young adults cite childcare costs, high rents, and precarious jobs as factors delaying childbearing. Local research also highlights education expenses and insecure work as deterrents to larger families. Some critics argue that changing gender roles or feminist progress explain lower birth rates, but experts say addressing practical barriers is essential; restricting women’s freedoms would likely harm households financially.
Progressive policymakers advocate a multifaceted approach. Strengthening social safety nets and expanding access to contraception and education are vital, but broader reforms are needed: affordable housing, stable employment, generous parental leave, and high-quality public childcare. A regional researcher notes that sustaining families means expanding real options in the present, not chasing an idealized past. Universal, affordable public services and reliable social protections are central to stabilizing family formation.
International experience offers clear guidance. Nordic and other European models show that universal supports—paid parental leave, child allowances, accessible childcare, and affordable housing—help sustain fertility while promoting gender equality. In Thailand, expanding child allowances, extending parental leave for both parents, and investing in public childcare could ease the financial burden on families and enable a balanced life for working parents. Thai media and think tanks increasingly view these supports as essential investments in the country’s future.
A key takeaway from the research is the emphasis on personal agency. About one-third of people report unwanted pregnancies, underscoring the ongoing need for comprehensive contraception and reproductive health services. Conversely, nearly a quarter report an inability to have a child when desired, highlighting the importance of autonomy. Thai policymakers are urged to narrow the gap between desired and actual family size by broadening family-planning options while ensuring choices remain voluntary and accessible.
For Thailand, the path forward combines addressing deep-seated socioeconomic barriers with expanding reproductive autonomy. A policy expert from a major Thai university argues that a thriving society empowers individuals to decide how many children to have, or not to have at all. This aligns with demographic realities showing many surveys favor an ideal family size of more than one or two children; declines in fertility appear driven by constraints rather than desire.
International experience underscores the futility of coercive policies. Attempts to push fertility through subsidies or mandates have yielded mixed results. The most promising route is robust, inclusive policy design that raises wages, guarantees secure employment, expands access to healthcare and education, and fosters work-life balance. For Thailand, these efforts are urgent as aging trends rise and the demand for skilled workers grows.
Policy recommendations for Thailand include:
- Expand child and family allowances to reduce direct costs of raising children.
- Increase paid parental leave for both mothers and fathers and protect job tenure during leave.
- Invest in universal, affordable childcare and early education.
- Support affordable housing and regulate rents, with stable employment contracts for youth.
- Promote flexible work arrangements to help parents balance responsibilities.
- Foster a culture that values work-life balance and respects diverse family choices.
For individuals, open discussions about finances and available supports are encouraged. For policymakers, the focus should shift from moral judgments or quick fixes to long-term investments in social infrastructure. The core message is clear: empowering people to shape their families requires removing real barriers that prevent action, not changing desires.
In sum, addressing the birth-rate challenge demands a holistic approach that expands economic security and genuine freedom of choice. By prioritizing social protection, housing, childcare, and fair work conditions, Thailand can support families today while sustaining a resilient, dynamic economy for tomorrow.