Sept 23, 2025 – Washington / Toronto – A rising number of young adults in Generation Z are rethinking or postponing parenthood, citing climate change as a central reason behind their hesitation.
A new survey by Newsweek found that 38% of Gen Z Americans say climate change makes them less likely to have children. The findings highlight not only environmental fears but also growing worries about affordability, housing, and the uncertainty of raising a family in a changing world.
Academic research mirrors these results. A Canadian study reported that nearly four in ten respondents aged 18–25 admitted climate concerns play a role in their decisions about childbearing. Scholars point to the rise of eco-anxiety—a deep sense of worry and grief tied to environmental decline—as a major influence.
Beyond national borders, the concerns appear global. The GlobeScan/BBMG report shows that almost half of Gen Z worldwide feel they are “greatly personally affected” by climate change. This generation, exposed to frequent reports of wildfires, floods, and rising global temperatures, is increasingly questioning what kind of future children would inherit.
Experts say this represents a shift in family-planning conversations. Where previous generations focused on financial stability, today’s young adults are weighing climate risk alongside traditional factors like career or income. “It’s not just about whether you can afford a child,” one sociologist noted. “It’s about whether you can provide them a secure and livable planet.”
The International Criminal Court and global population agencies have long noted that birth rate trends are influenced by social and environmental shifts. If Gen Z’s hesitancy grows into a sustained pattern, countries already facing demographic decline could see sharper drops in fertility rates.
Still, researchers caution that attitudes don’t always translate into action. Many young people who now express doubts may eventually choose to have children as circumstances change. Others point out that climate concern often overlaps with economic pressure, making it hard to separate one from the other.
Governments, meanwhile, are being urged to address both climate threats and family pressures through policies that provide stronger environmental protections, childcare support, and affordable housing. Experts believe visible progress on climate action could ease eco-anxiety and potentially influence family decisions.
For now, the trend underscores the depth of unease Gen Z feels. As one climate activist in New York put it: “We want kids, but only if they have a safe future. Until then, it’s a question mark.”
