Half of young women delay their maternity plans due to the socio-economic context

In 2020, some were betting on a post-lockdown baby boom.

However, the expected peak in the birth rate did not occur, quite the contrary.

Not only has the pandemic pushed back the desire to start a home, but other uncertainties have accentuated this postponement.

Global warming, armed and trade conflicts, inflation... As crises follow one another, a growing number of French women are struggling to project themselves into a bright future for their first or next child, as reported by a survey by IVI clinics, the world leader in reproductive medicine, produced by the GFK firm and unveiled on Tuesday, September 27.

In France, 41.2% of women aged 25 to 45 say they have postponed their decision because of the current socio-economic framework.

This percentage reaches 52% among those under 30 years old.

In video, "I am the load", a short film by Margaux Heller

World according to anxiety and inequalities

The Covid-19 played a role in this postponement.

Nearly 30% of women, especially mothers under 36, have postponed their maternity plans partly because of the epidemic.

More broadly, 41.2% of respondents say they are negatively affected by the current political, social and economic situation.

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“Undeniably, the context around us has a great influence on a key decision like motherhood.

It is, for example, more and more difficult to buy (sic) an apartment and indeed, it makes us delay this maternity”, comments Dr. Paula Celada, gynecologist at the IVI Valencia clinic, in the press release of the announcement.

The survey also looked at the refusal of maternity.

Among women who are already mothers, this choice is not only the result of an individual desire, it also stems from precarious situations and above all from gender inequalities within the home.

Among those under 36, many point to excessive work at home (18.6%), difficulty in reconciling work/family life (20.9) and insufficient financial resources (27.3%).

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Among those who have no children, this brake on motherhood is above all based on a personal will (51.7%), a desire not to lose their freedom (34.4%) and a "non-conformity with the current model of society for raising a child” (32.8%).

(1) Study carried out on 356 French women, aged 25 to 45, from a high, medium-high and medium socio-economic level.

The interviews were conducted from May 10 to 16, 2022.