Young adults in Finland face uncertainties about family planning, complicating birth rate recovery

Young adults are increasingly feeling that uncertainties in life are limiting their ability to start families. According to researcher Tiia Sorsa from the Population Research Institute, this perception does not necessarily mean that uncertainties have increased, but rather that they are now more widely recognized. As a result, many individuals desire to have their lives “more ready” before considering having children.

Sorsa explains that achieving a stable life has become more delayed, resulting in parents waiting longer, or not having children at all. She advises those hoping for children that the most important factor for a child is love, rather than wealth.

This summer, the Finnish government launched a population policy program aimed at addressing declining birth rates. Preliminary statistics from this year indicate a slight increase in births, but the reasons behind lower birth rates are complex. One contributing factor is the contemporary belief that achieving certain milestones in life should precede family formation.

Sorsa highlights that this change is not the fault of individuals. In times of a stronger welfare state, there was more trust that job losses wouldn’t lead to unaffordable expenses. However, rising food prices have led to genuine concerns about the ability to provide for a family.

Reflections from young families interviewed reveal a common sentiment: they prefer to have completed their education, established careers, and secured stable housing before bringing children into the world. The desire for a stable relationship and financial security remains paramount among these parents.

While many families have their own reasons for delaying childbearing, societal expectations and financial considerations continue to shape their decisions.