Young adults today face significant financial hurdles that are reshaping their views on marriage and parenthood. A recent Pew Research Center report highlights a decline in marriage rates and a historic low in U.S. fertility rates, largely attributed to rising living costs. Young adults, particularly millennials and Gen Zers, are feeling the pinch of high inflation, which has made essentials like food, gas, and housing increasingly expensive. Compounding these challenges, younger generations are earning less than their parents did at the same age, while also grappling with substantial student loan debt. This financial strain has led over half of millennials and Gen Zers to postpone having children, with 86% citing finances as the main reason. Additionally, the soaring costs of child care, which have risen nearly twice as fast as inflation since 1991, further complicate the decision to start a family. Experts warn that these trends could have broader implications for economic growth and productivity.
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