More women are choosing not to have children, new data shows

More women in the United States and United Kingdom are choosing not to have children, and new data shows this trend has grown steadily over recent years. A 2021 Pew Research Center study found that 44% of childless adults aged 18 to 49 did not plan to become parents, compared to 37% in 2018. US birth rates have also fallen 20% since 2007, reaching their lowest point on record.

Women give several reasons for this decision. Financial pressures, such as the high cost of childcare and housing, are common factors. Career goals matter too, with 38% of women in a 2023 UK survey naming professional advancement as a reason. Others simply prefer a life without children. The word "childfree" has become widely used to describe this as a positive, deliberate choice rather than an unfortunate circumstance.