Natalie Johnston was scrolling through Facebook a few years back when she discovered a group called "One And Done On The Fence." To her relief, she found that many shared her situation. Although she and her husband didn't have trouble conceiving, they intentionally decided to have only one child, their five-year-old daughter Joanie. "It's difficult to conceive juggling time and finances for more than one child," she shares. Concerns about the impact on her daughter, Joanie, such as limitations on activities due to financial constraints, were significant for Natalie.
According to the UN, this isn't about rejecting parenthood, but affordability challenges. An expert notes a 'fertility gap' exists because of the disparity between desired children and those born. The modern parenting landscape for Natalie, 35, involves quality family time but also complexities like expensive childcare due to their demanding jobs and lack of familial support. Weighing the decision to expand the family further is daunting, driven by the fear of future regrets.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported the fertility rate at 1.41 children per woman in England and Wales last year—marking the lowest level recorded for the third consecutive year. The proportion of families with an only child has risen from 42% in 2000 to 44% last year. The UK's falling birthrate aligns with what the United Nations describes as a "global fertility slump," linked to economic challenges and societal shifts. The UN's Population Fund reports that people, contrary to opting out of parenthood, cite high living costs and increasing socio-economic insecurity as barriers to family planning.
Bridging this 'fertility gap' was on Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson's agenda earlier this year. She highlighted a governmental push to expand funded childcare hours in England to help revive 'stalled dreams.' While annual nursery costs saw a decrease for the first time in 15 years in England, they slightly increased in Scotland and Wales, evidencing regional disparities.
Last year's University College London (UCL) study showed that while 40% of 32-year-olds in England express a desire for children or more children, only a quarter actively pursue conception. Dr. Paula Sheppard of the University of Oxford discusses the continued perception of two-child families as standard, facing a mismatch where "for every three kids wanted... only two are born." She attributes much of this gap to delayed family planning due to career and educational pursuits, complicating conception and family growth.