‘s birth rate is at an all-time-low with many young Aussies blaming the cost-of-living crisis for their decision to not have children.
n Bureau of Statistics data showed the country’s birth rate has halved since 1960 with 52 per cent of Aussies under the age of 35 delaying their family plans.
Among the highest reasons for people choosing to have children later in life, or not at all, were finances, career and relationships.
The cost of raising a child was the biggest factor with 49 per cent of childless young adults citing it as the main reason.
Others blamed job security, housing and mental health concerns.
The decision to have kids later in life was reflected in an increased median age of parenthood which rose to 31.9 for mothers and 33.8 for fathers.
Families are also having less children with the birth rate dropping from 3.55 children per woman in 1960 to 1.5.
‘Desire for personal freedom and flexibility (eg travel, hobbies)’ was also in the top 10 concerns for people having kids at 19 per cent.
McCrindle social researcher Geoff Brailey added Aussies that do want children are choosing to have smaller families.
‘I think this complex equation of establishing a career is important, finding security amidst uncertainty is important, and that’s both financial. It’s also that mental health and managing mental wellbeing,’ he told the Courier Mail.
Founder Mark McCrindle claimed the growing preference for smaller families would ‘reshape society for decades to come’ as it meant the birth rate was not high enough to sustain the current population.
The survey results were widely reflected in online comments with many young ns agreeing they wouldn’t have children until their 30s, mostly due to the costs involved.
‘Who can afford to have kids! Childcare, medical costs, cost of living in general,’ one wrote.
‘With the current huge housing prices and costs of living. How is anyone affording to start a family? No wonder the birth rates are dropping,’ another said.
‘I would not start a family if I was in that era of life. As it is my children’s outlook is very bleak. I wish I had known what hell they were going to be trying to live in,’ another wrote.
‘It’s scary having kids these days. Most people can’t afford to support themselves let alone add children to that,’ another said.
‘They are being clever. The future seems a little scary at the moment,’ another wrote.
Others, like 20-year-old Nicole Hanssens, have used the decreased pressure to have children as a young adult to decide whether they’d be good parents or not.
Ms Hanssens was blunt in saying she didn’t want kids.
‘I don’t think that’s ever going to change,’ she said.
‘I can barely look after myself, let alone a whole other human being.’