Climate change decreases appetite for children

The GlobeScan Radar survey asked 1,000 adults in 31 countries whether they “strongly agree” or “somewhat agree” to the statement, “I do not want to have children because of the effects for climate change.”

The poll revealed that at least 40 per cent of the respondents believe that climate change and its effects are good “deterrents” for not having children. In Europe, the negative attitudes toward climate change and wanting children were significant but not as high as those in Asia and South America. Germany scored at 40 per cent and the Netherlands at 33 per cent in Sweden scored the lowest at 28 per cent.

Regarding the world, Egypt scored the highest at 61 per cent and then South Korea (59 per cent) in not wanting children because of the climate. The lowest percentages were found in Kenya (23 per cent) and Indonesia (18 per cent). Those who were “personally affected by climate change” were more likely to say that they didn’t want children compared to those who were not affected (44 per cent vs. 28 per cent).

Age

Age also plays a role in influencing attitudes on climate change, according to the poll. Those under 30 (44 per cent) were more likely to think that climate change is a good reason for not having children compared to those over 30 (39 per cent).

Attitudes toward the seriousness of climate change have been increasing over a twenty-year period. As reported by Inter Press Service (IPS), the survey said that at least 65 per cent now consider climate change to be a “very serious problem” compared to 2002. As of 2022, at least 37 per cent think that they are “seriously affected” because of climate change.