Intending to remain childless: are concerns about climate change and overpopulation the cause?

Berrington, Ann, Kuang, Bernice and Perelli-Harris, Brienna (2024) Intending to remain childless: are concerns about climate change and overpopulation the cause? (ESRC Centre for Population Change Connecting Generations Policy Briefings, 72) ESRC Centre for Population Change 4pp.

Abstract

This policy briefing 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.

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Contributors

Author: Ann Berrington

Author: Brienna Perelli-Harris

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