Kenneth M. Johnson, PhD, discusses barriers to childcare driving reduced fertility

Kenneth M. Johnson, PhD, professor of sociology at the University of New Hampshire, discussed the complex challenges shaping fertility decisions in the United States, highlighting the interplay between childcare access, economic pressures, and shifting generational attitudes.

One of the key barriers is the high cost and limited availability of childcare. Many families struggle to find affordable daycare, and insufficient spots in childcare centers force parents to make difficult choices about work and family. Johnson noted that these challenges, compounded by low wages for childcare workers, influence decisions about whether and when to have children. Families weigh not only the expense of raising children but also the tradeoffs between staying in the workforce and managing family responsibilities, especially as housing and living costs rise.

Looking at broader fertility trends, Johnson emphasized the importance of distinguishing between delayed births and those that may never occur. He pointed to historical parallels, such as the Great Depression, when 21% of women never had children and another 20% had only one, marking some of the lowest fertility levels in US. history. He suggested that current declines may reflect not only economic stress but also generational shifts in attitudes toward parenthood. Younger women, he observed, may place less emphasis on having children compared to older generations.

Johnson also stressed the need for research that examines fertility patterns across different demographic groups, including race, education, region, and immigrant status. Importantly, declines in fertility are widespread, affecting women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds. Birth rates for White, Black, and Hispanic women have all dropped significantly, underscoring that the trend is broad-based rather than confined to a single population.

Adding context, Johnson noted that US births have fallen from 4.3 million in 2007 to 3.6 million today. At the same time, the baby boomer generation is entering its 60s and 70s, creating an age imbalance in the population. Smaller cohorts of young people are emerging alongside very large cohorts of older adults, leading to an aging population overall. In nearly two-thirds of US counties, more people died last year than were born—a trend already evident before the COVID-19 pandemic and further exacerbated by it.

Johnson concluded that fertility decline is not just a personal or family issue but a demographic shift with broad implications for American society. Childcare access, economic pressures, and evolving cultural values are all critical drivers shaping the future population landscape of the United States.

This video is part 2 of a 2-part series. Click here for part 1.

No relevant disclosures.

Reference

Study shows number of childless women in the US continues to rise. University of New Hampshire. September 15, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.unh.edu/unhtoday/news/release/2025/09/15/study-shows-number-childless-women-us-continues-rise.