The Rising Trend Of Male Childlessness

A shift in fertility patterns is emerging. Recent studies indicate that men, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds, are increasingly facing challenges in having children, even when they desire them.

A 2021 Norwegian study revealed a stark contrast in male childlessness rates. Among the lowest earners, 72% of men were childless, while only 11% of the highest earners faced the same fate. This gap has expanded by nearly 20 percentage points in the past three decades.

Robin Hadley, a man who longed for fatherhood, knows this struggle all too well. Growing up without a university education, Hadley became a technical photographer in Manchester, whereby his 30s, he found himself desperate to have a child. Single, struggling to pay his mortgage, and with limited financial means, dating was a challenge.

As his friends and colleagues started families, he felt a deep sense of loss. “Birthday cards for kids or collections for new babies remind you of what you’re not and what you’re expected to be,” he shares. This emotional journey led him to write a book on why more men like him, who wish to be fathers, are unable to realize that dream. Through his research, Hadley discovered how factors like economics, biology, timing, and relationship choices all played a role in his childlessness.

In his interviews with other British men, Hadley found a common thread—sadness and a feeling of something missing in their lives. This sentiment is echoed by the latest data from the Office for National Statistics, which shows that births in England and Wales have dropped to a record low of 1.44 births per woman. The trend is global, with the US and China also experiencing historic low birth rates.

Rising Childlessness Across the Globe

The number of childless people is rising in nearly every country. In East Asia, about 30% of people are childless, while in the UK, the rate is 18%. This shift is often due to a combination of personal choice, biological infertility, and “social infertility”—a term used to describe the impact of financial and social factors on childbearing decisions.

Sociologist Anna Rotkirch has observed a change in how society views having children. Once seen as a cornerstone of adult life, having children is now viewed as a capstone event—something people do after achieving other life goals. Finland, despite offering generous child-friendly policies, has seen a significant decline in fertility rates since 2010.

Rotkirch points out that, in contrast to the past when lower-income individuals had children earlier in life, today’s poorest men are often the least likely to have children. This trend is being observed across Europe, where financial insecurity is discouraging young people from starting families.

In the UK, a growing number of young people, particularly those facing financial instability, are choosing to forgo parenthood. A recent survey found that twice as many 18 to 25-year-olds (15%) now say they will never have children compared to 15 years ago.

Financial Uncertainty and the Mating Gap

For men, financial insecurity plays a critical role in involuntary childlessness. Sociologists have coined the term “selection effect” to describe how women often choose partners from their own or higher social classes. This creates a cycle of disadvantage for men who are less financially stable.

Robin Hadley reflects on his own experiences, noting how his financial struggles and lack of confidence may have affected his relationships. “I was batting out of my league intellectually and in terms of confidence,” he admits. Eventually, Hadley met his current wife, but by the time they discussed having children, it was too late.

Across the globe, women are increasingly outperforming men in education, leading to what Yale sociologist Marcia Inhorn calls “the mating gap.” In Europe, men without university degrees are now the group most likely to be childless.

An Invisible Demographic

In most countries, including the UK, data on male fertility is scarce because birth registration focuses on the mother’s fertility history. As a result, men who are involuntarily childless remain largely invisible in fertility studies and national statistics.

However, some Nordic countries, like Norway, are beginning to address this gap. Their studies reveal that the childlessness rate is highest among lower-income men and has been rising over time. The lack of research on male fertility, according to University of Oxford researcher Vincent Straub, contributes to the neglect of men’s role in the declining birth rate.

Straub also highlights a growing “male malaise”—the sense of confusion and uncertainty many young men feel as societal expectations of masculinity evolve. This shift is influencing relationship dynamics and, in some cases, contributing to delayed or missed opportunities for parenthood.

Gender Roles and Women’s Discontent

In countries like China, the burden of child-rearing often falls heavily on women, leading to growing numbers of women opting out of parenthood. Martha Bao, a young professional in Shanghai, shares that most of her female friends do not want children, primarily due to the overwhelming responsibility it entails.

As the global trend of childlessness rises, especially among men from lower-income backgrounds, the interplay of financial, social, and gender factors is shaping the future of family life. If these patterns continue, the impact on society could be profound, with shifting expectations around parenthood and masculinity at the forefront of this change.

Conclusion

The growing trend of childlessness, particularly among men from lower-income backgrounds, highlights the complex interplay of economic, social, and gender factors influencing fertility choices today. While some individuals choose to remain childless, for many, it is a consequence of financial insecurity, timing, and societal shifts. The widening gap in childlessness between different socioeconomic groups reflects a significant change in how families are formed and the challenges many face in pursuing parenthood. As fertility rates continue to decline globally, understanding the role of men in this trend and addressing the barriers they face will be crucial in shaping policies that support families and individuals in the future. Ultimately, the rise of childlessness calls for a re-examination of societal expectations and the evolving roles of men and women in family life.