UNFPA State of World Population 2025: “The Real Fertility Crisis”

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Report calls for a shift from panic over falling fertility to addressing unmet reproductive goals.

Key findings

Reproductive Agency Crisis: The real issue is not overpopulation but the inability to achieve desired family size due to lack of choice.
Fertility Duality: Some states (Bihar, UP, Jharkhand) have high fertility rates, while others (Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu) have below-replacement fertility (2.0).
Barriers to Reproductive Freedom
- Financial Constraints: 4 in 10 cite financial limitations as a major barrier.
- Structural Challenges: Job insecurity (21%), housing constraints (22%), and lack of childcare (18%) hinder family planning.
- Social pressures: 19% face family/partner pressure to have fewer children.
- Modern anxieties: Climate change, political instability, loneliness, and shifting gender norms impact decisions.
India’s Progress & Persistent Inequalities
- Fertility rates dropped from 5 (1970) to 2 (2025) due to better education and healthcare.
- Gaps remain: Disparities across states, castes, and income groups limit reproductive rights.

Expanding Sexual and Reproductive Health(SRH) Services: Universal access to contraception, safe abortion, and infertility care.
Removing structural barriers: Affordable childcare, education, housing, and flexible work policies.
Inclusive policies: Extend services to LGBTQIA+, unmarried individuals, and marginalized groups.

Founded in 1969 as the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA).
Renamed in 1987 to the United Nations Population Fund (retaining the original acronym, UNFPA).
Core Mission
- UNFPA works to guarantee sexual and reproductive rights and choices for all.
- Empowering women and young people to make informed decisions about their bodies.

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