The global trend of declining fertility rates has brought renewed attention to childfree individuals – those who consciously choose not to have children. While research highlights the growing prevalence of childfree people in wealthier nations, less is known about their numbers and motivations in developing countries. A new study published in PLOS One challenges expectations, revealing surprisingly high percentages of childfree individuals in several developing nations.
Led by researchers Zachary Neal and Jennifer Neal from Michigan State University, the study analyzed demographic data from a vast dataset collected between 2014 and 2023 through the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. This program, a collaboration between the United States and local partners, focuses on gathering comprehensive fertility information globally.
To delve deeper into these complex trends, the research team developed specialized software capable of analyzing DHS data from developing countries with unprecedented accuracy. Examining responses from over 2 million people across 51 developing nations, they identified a significant variation in childfree prevalence between countries, even within the same geographic region.
For example, among single women aged 15 to 29 in Southeast Asia, the Philippines showed an estimated 7.3% childfree rate compared to just 0.4% in Indonesia. Papua New Guinea emerged as having the highest percentage of childfree single women (aged 15-29) at 15.6%, while Liberia had the lowest at 0.3%.
The study delves beyond mere numbers, exploring potential contributing factors to these trends. The researchers found a strong correlation between a country’s level of human development and its childfree rate. This “human development” encompasses health, education, and living standards as measured by the Human Development Index (HDI). Countries scoring lower on the HDI, such as Chad, exhibited lower childfree rates (around 1%), while nations with higher HDIs like Turkey showed considerably higher rates (around 6%).
Gender equality and political freedoms also appeared to influence childfree prevalence, albeit to a lesser extent. These findings suggest that the decision to remain childfree transcends socioeconomic boundaries, extending even to countries navigating development challenges.
This study highlights the global nature of this trend and calls for further research into the specific needs and experiences of childfree individuals in developing contexts. It underscores the importance of understanding individual choices within a broader societal framework, especially as fertility patterns continue to evolve across the globe.
