Why more Canadians decide not to have kids any more?

July 17, 2024July 17, 2024canada, Canadian families, Canadians choose to be childless, Children, Cost of living, costly Canada, economy, kids

What came first: Chicken or the egg? What is wanted more in Canada, children or technology, workforce or robotics, wealth or family? These are questions every Canadian is asking before considering to raise kids in Canada. CTV has released a not so much optimistical story about Canadians choosing to have less children in Canada. So, why do more Canadians decide not to have kids any more?

When CTV News questioned Canadians to explain why they are delaying family planning, a lot of them naturally cited rising living expenses together with worries about not being able to support their future children. But further choices are to blame for the rising trend among Canadians.

In recent years, Canada has seen a notable trend: more and more Canadians are opting to have fewer children. This shift in family planning is influenced by a complex interplay of social, economic, and cultural factors. Some are very obvious and others very concerning and should definitely be thought over by regulators and psychologists.

Main concerns among young Canadians:

1. Economic Pressures

The cost of raising children has risen significantly over the past few decades. From housing and childcare to education and healthcare, the financial burden of raising a child in Canada is substantial. Many Canadian families are facing economic pressures that make having more children seem financially unfeasible. High housing prices, particularly in urban centers, and the increasing cost of living are significant factors driving this trend. According to a recent survey, most Canadians choose affordable housing, with the national average price of a home in June remaining around $696,179. Young people just can’t afford a decent living space for just two adults, from investing into bigger properties for expanding family not to mention. According to a new Statistics Canada report, the average monthly payment made by Canadian parents for their primary full-time arrangement was $544 in 2023, compared to $649 in 2022.

But according to the same survey, the percentage of parents who say it’s been challenging to get child care went from 53 to 62 percent.

2. Career and Personal Aspirations

As societal norms shift, more Canadians are prioritizing personal and career goals. Women, in particular, are making strides in their professional lives and often delay or choose not to have large families to focus on their careers and personal development. The pursuit of higher education and career advancement often leads to decisions about having fewer children or postponing parenthood. Tuition fees and dept accumulating after finishing schooling has risen in past years, leaving Canadians with many shattered dreams when it comes to raising a family. Many young Canadians were the impression that having university degree, finding a partner with same or better degree will automatically bring prosperity in Canadian society. This dream may not come true in today’s Canada. Working, paying off loans and saving is preferred choice among young Canadians and with good reasons. Having children may seen unbearable and to many a shattered dream.

3. Changing Attitudes Towards Parenthood

Attitudes toward parenthood have evolved, with more people questioning traditional family structures. There’s a growing acceptance of diverse lifestyle choices and a recognition that happiness and fulfillment can come from various sources other than raising a large family. Some Canadians are choosing to invest their time and resources into travel, hobbies, or community involvement instead. Many just don’t have the attitude towards having a long time partner, from having children not to mention, which is fine as long the entire community is not at downward spiral. Statistics show an alarming trend and that is worrysome. Some young people believe that numerous issues are already present and will only worsen with time, including an increase in extreme weather occurrences, a shortage of resources, and a decline in air quality. Bringing a new life into the world when their future quality of life is so unclear makes young Canadians uneasy.

4. Environmental Concerns

Environmental awareness has also played a role in family planning decisions. Many Canadians are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of larger families. Issues such as climate change, resource depletion, and ecological sustainability are prompting some to choose smaller families as a way to reduce their ecological footprint. News of Earth braking all previous records for yearly heat, with 2023 being the hottest year on record.
Hurricane Beryl kicking off hurricane season early this year, blasting over areas of the Caribbean, Mexico, and the United States, bringing with it downed trees, destroyed buildings, and left millions without electricity. News of around the planet, intense heat, with June becoming the 15th straight month with record-high sea surface temperatures is certainly on young Canadian minds, making them more concerned with environment and raising a family.

5. Urbanization and Lifestyle Changes

Urbanization has shifted the way people live and work. In densely populated cities, the logistics of raising a larger family can be more challenging due to space constraints and the fast-paced lifestyle. This urban environment often leads to a preference for smaller family sizes, as families adapt to their surroundings and lifestyle. Statistics Canada reports from late 2023 indicate that an increasing number of families are having difficulty obtaining child care spaces.
Of the parents that managed to secure daycare, 49% reported to survey takers that they found it challenging to make plans for 2023. Compared to 36% in 2019, that percentage is higher.
In 2023, the proportion of Canadian children under one who are not enrolled in child care on a waitlist increased to about half.

If we know what the main reasons is for Canadians not to have children, what should be done? Well, if we take the information what we know and what concerns young Canadians, we could work on improving those aspects. Even if remove one the above mentioned problems, it would certainly improve the ratio between people choosing to have children and people choosing not to have children. Government has surely chosen the easy and cheaper way in the past and that is new immigration. Well, that fixes the less people problem but it brought with it surely many more issues that need to be addressed and fixed.