Trust, Climate Fears Shape Gen Z's Baby Decisions

Most young Australians express a continued desire for children, even as the nation experiences a fertility rate decline. A longitudinal study of Generation Z reveals that concerns about the future, including trust in public institutions and climate change worries, heavily influence their family planning. While economic hardships are acknowledged, they are not the primary deterrent to the intention of becoming parents.

The study indicates that 71 percent of young people aged 19-24 hope to have children, though social cohesion, environmental degradation, and institutional trust impact their decisions. Those with higher trust in social structures are more likely to plan for families. Researchers were surprised that economic stress was less influential than trust and hope for the future.

Concerns about the future economy were nearly universal, yet not directly linked to childbearing desires. However, environmental concerns were associated with a lower desire for children among some. Young women, anticipating the majority of caregiving duties and relying on institutional support, expressed greater future concerns and less trust than young men.

Family intentions are often set for the distant future, with most aiming to start families later in life and potentially have fewer children. This suggests that supporting young people's family goals requires addressing societal trust, inclusion, and climate action, beyond just economic policies. The traditional division of family and caring responsibilities, with women bearing the brunt, remains a significant factor influencing these choices.