The latest State of World Population report finds that around 1 in 5 adults worldwide believe they will not be able to have the number of children they want, largely due to economic insecurity, inequality and weak social support systems. While many people still say they want two or more children, growing numbers are having one child or none at all.

Speaking on the sidelines of the UN Commission on Population and Development in New York, UNFPA economist and demographer Michael Herrmann said fears of a demographic “timebomb” are misplaced. “Demographic change is not a crisis in itself,” he said. “It’s a reality we need to understand, plan for, and adapt to.”

Herrmann is promoting the concept of demographic resilience, which focuses on helping societies anticipate population change, adapt institutions and make better use of human potential, whether populations are growing, shrinking or ageing. Some countries can benefit from a demographic dividend when a growing working-age population boosts growth. Others may gain a “second dividend” by investing in education, health, skills and technology to raise productivity.

As workforces shrink, many governments have raised retirement ages, but Herrmann said this can be too blunt. Older adults have different capacities and preferences, and more flexible work options could keep them economically active while easing pressure on pension systems.

UNFPA also cautioned against quick fixes such as cash bonuses and tax breaks to encourage births. Evidence suggests these measures often have limited and short-lived effects. “One-off payments don’t change long-term decisions,” Herrmann said.

Instead, UNFPA is surveying young people in 70 countries to understand why they are having fewer children than they want. Early findings point to high housing and childcare costs, insecure jobs, unequal gender roles and anxiety about the future, including climate and political instability.

UNFPA said the way forward is rights-based: policies should remove barriers to choice through affordable childcare, parental leave for both parents, stable work and equal pay, rather than coercive fertility targets.