Freakonomics Radio 636. Why Aren’t We Having More Babies?
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Jun 13, 2025 
Matthias Doepke, a family economics expert, Catherine Pakaluk, who specializes in fertility and education, and Amy Froide, a historian of women's economic history, tackle the intriguing decline in global birth rates. They discuss cultural shifts affecting family formation and the pressures women face in parenting. The trio examines how historical population predictions have failed and what this means for future economic trends. They also address how rising child-rearing costs impact fertility decisions, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of family economics.
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Workforce Entry and Intensive Parenting
- More women entering the workforce and rising parenting intensity reduce fertility rates.
- Parents now invest considerable time and resources to maximize children’s educational and personal success.
Child Care’s Role in Fertility
- Child care provision and its cost heavily influence fertility rates across wealthy countries.
- More government spending on child care correlates with higher birth rates.
Economic Pressures Limit Births
- High housing costs in certain countries correlate strongly with very low fertility rates.
- Economic pressures such as expensive housing and higher education shape family size decisions.
