The growing reluctance among millennials to have more than two children has emerged as a defining demographic trend, with new research highlighting the complex social and economic factors influencing modern family size decisions. This movement, closely linked to rising living costs and shifting values, carries important implications for Thailand as its own birthrate stagnates and younger generations reconsider their priorities.
A recent report by Business Insider details how economic uncertainty—notably high childcare costs, student debt, and the shaky job market—has led many millennials in developed countries to cap their families at two children or forego parenthood entirely. Drawing from interviews with parents and leading sociologists, the article illustrates how families struggle to afford additional children, especially in expensive urban centers. According to a cited Pew Research Center study, millennial women average about 2.02 children, aligning with earlier generations numerically but diverging in terms of economic stability and timing. Experts argue that for many in this cohort, achieving even a two-child household often feels like a luxury rather than a default lifestyle (businessinsider.com).
This phenomenon is not unique to the United States or Europe. Across East Asia, and increasingly in Thailand, young couples reconsider whether larger families are feasible or desirable. As of 2025, Thailand has experienced a steady decline in birth rates since 2020, with the population holding at about 66 million and projected to fall without intervention (MSN). Policy attempts to incentivize childbirth—such as increased child support payments and tax benefits—reflect growing government concern over the long-term consequences of an aging society.
Key reasons for the decrease in family size are remarkably consistent between the US and Thailand. Childcare and education costs loom large. In the US, annual private school tuition in cities like San Francisco can average $26,000 per child, not to mention additional expenses for full-time nannies or after-school programmes. In Thailand, while nominal costs may seem lower, the burden is relative to local incomes. Estimates for raising a child in Thailand vary widely depending on the family’s aspirations and whether they pursue private or international education. One analysis places monthly education costs as high as ฿12,562 for private kindergartens (Exiap), with total household education expenses hovering around ฿326 per month for public options (Expatica). Childcare costs, considered quite affordable by some, can nevertheless pose a serious barrier; rates range from a few hundred baht for limited-hours care up to substantial sums for more comprehensive nursery or nanny coverage (Reddit). The Thai Ministry of Labour’s recent proposal to provide ฿3,000 per month in support for each child under seven is an explicit recognition that inflation and stagnant wages are biting into young families’ ability to expand (Thai Examiner).
Demographic studies indicate that the median age for first-time parents has crept up sharply, in both Thailand and other developed nations. Thai census data shows delayed childbearing arising from longer periods spent in higher education, greater labor mobility, and a cultural shift toward prioritizing career and personal growth before parenthood (Wikipedia). In affluent urban centers and among the highly educated, couples may not have their first child until their early 30s, which biologically and financially limits the window for further expansion—even with advances in fertility technology.
Stories from both sides of the Pacific echo how social and familial expectations have transformed. Where older generations prioritized having several offspring to ensure family continuity or support in old age, many modern parents—Thai or American—now weigh the quality of upbringing and parental attention more heavily than numbers. As one US mother interviewed for Business Insider remarked, “I wanted my kids to have my undivided attention…I felt like that was one thing that I didn’t get out of my parents.” For Thai millennials, traditionally tight-knit extended families are no longer guaranteed to provide the child-rearing support once common in rural villages. Instead, couples may find themselves isolated in urban condos, balancing the pressures of dual-career households and the high expectations of “intensive parenting.”
Furthermore, shifting gender norms influence family size aspirations. Studies referenced in the Business Insider piece reveal that progressive attitudes toward gender roles and a more equal division of household and child-rearing labor are correlated with smaller ideal family sizes. This is borne out in Thai society as more women pursue advanced degrees and professional careers. The time and energy required for competitive jobs often conflict with the demands of a large family, especially when household chores and parenting are still disproportionately borne by mothers.
Fertility issues add another dimension. As women delay childbirth into their 30s and 40s, the risks of pregnancy complications and genetic disorders increase, along with the costs and challenges of assisted reproductive technology. With in vitro fertilization (IVF) often prohibitively expensive and state support limited, many otherwise willing parents simply run out of time or resources for a third child.
The Thai state has attempted to address these challenges through various incentives, but with mixed results. The modest rise in government-provided child support (from ฿800 to ฿1,000 per month as of 2025) is unlikely to fundamentally alter the calculations of aspirational middle-class families who feel the pinch the most. International research and expert opinion suggest such policies only modestly impact long-term fertility rates unless combined with more comprehensive measures around affordable housing, flexible work arrangements, and subsidized childcare (OECD).
Historically, Thailand’s population boom in the twentieth century posed its own policy challenges, prompting the famous “Two children are enough” campaign, still fondly remembered by older Thais. That campaign’s success, while beneficial in preventing economic and social strain, is now being reevaluated as population aging creates new problems for the public pension system, healthcare structure, and workforce continuity.
Looking forward, the millennial pushback against large families—rooted in legitimate worries about cost, quality of life, and work-life balance—suggests that merely incentivizing childbirth is unlikely to reverse trends overnight. Research indicates that countries seeking a sustainable replacement rate must address the broader context: improving public childcare, reducing financial stress for young households, and ensuring work and educational opportunities accommodate active parenthood.
For Thai readers, the lesson is nuanced. Rather than feeling pressure to have additional children for the sake of the nation, families should feel empowered to make choices grounded in their realities—while also urging policymakers to invest in systems that genuinely support parents. For would-be parents considering a third child or more, planning ahead financially, seeking out community childcare options, and honestly assessing personal and family resources are key steps. On a national level, more flexible parental leave, expanded access to affordable early education, and cultural adaptation of career advancement policies can help align desire for family with practical realities.
The case of why millennials everywhere are saying “no thank you” to baby number three is less a story of generational selfishness and more a pragmatic response to contemporary challenges. As Thailand and its neighbors confront the implications of low fertility, a broader societal shift—valuing both children and the conditions required to raise them well—is likely the only trustworthy path forward.