“Many people actually want more kids”: Record low birth rate reflects economic compromise

New ABS data showing Australia’s fertility rate has hit a record low highlights the need for more paid parental leave, universal early childhood education and greater workplace flexibility.

CEO of advocacy group The Parenthood, Georgie Dent, said economic factors were a major cause of declining births. 

“Many Australians are having fewer children than they would ideally want, because they just can’t afford it,” Ms Dent said. 

“We hear this anecdotally at The Parenthood all the time, but it is also backed up by the research. Starting or expanding a family has become an economic risk for many people.”

Essential Research polling for The Parenthood found 85 per cent of parents believe that due to the high cost of living, both parents must work to make ends meet.

“If we want to give people real choice about whether to have kids, and how many to have, more paid parental leave and universal early childhood education are the key,” Ms Dent said. 

“The Australian Government is making some really positive steps in this direction but ultimately we want to see 52 weeks of paid parental leave, with encouragement and incentives for this to be shared more equally between partners.

“To allow parents to go back to work when they are ready, we also need more affordable, accessible, high-quality early childhood education.

“These are the kind of supports that would actually give people genuine choice financial breathing room.”