This policy briefing by Ann Berrington, Bernice Kuang, and Brienna Perelli-Harris (2024) examines whether people who are concerned about the environment are more likely to intend to have no children, using the fertility intentions data collected in the 2022-23 UK Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). The richness of the UK GGS data allows researchers to examine factors associated with fertility intentions and declining birth rates, for example, economic uncertainty, escalating housing costs, and rising concerns about climate change and population growth. The study reported here focuses on environmental concerns.
The results suggest that today’s young adults (Gen Z, currently aged 18-25) are much more likely to intend to remain childless compared to earlier generations at the same age. This indicates that fertility rates might fall further in the UK. However, concern for the environment is only associated with intentions to remain childless among older millennials (those currently aged 36-41), once other factors are taken into account. For younger adults, the decision to not have children doesn’t appear to be linked to environmental concerns.
Intending to remain childless: Are concerns about climate change and overpopulation the cause?
University of Southampton, CPC (2024). Series Number: 72.
Authors: Berrington A, Kuang B, Perelli-Harris B.
