UN study: Armenians aspire to three children, but settle for one
Birth rate in Armenia
“The infertility rate in Armenia stands at 18.2%, including 2.7% primary infertility and 15.5% secondary (preventable) infertility,” reads a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The study, titled The State of World Population 2025, addresses the global birth rate crisis. Its authors found that one in five people worldwide believes they will be unable to have as many children as they would like.
Respondents cited key reasons such as a lack of financial resources for raising children, unstable income, limited access to housing, anxiety about the future of the world, and not having a suitable partner. If these barriers were removed, most participants said they would prefer to have two or more children.
“A huge number of people are unable to create the families they want. The issue is not a lack of desire, but a lack of choice — and that has serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole. This is the real fertility crisis,” said UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem.
The fund conducted the study across 14 countries, representing roughly 37% of the world’s population. It found that the main barriers to having the desired number of children include health issues, economic difficulties (such as money, housing, and employment), as well as war, epidemics, and political instability.
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“Having more children ensures family stability” and other reasons for wanting larger families
The majority of couples in Armenia said they would like to have three children. Participants in a survey conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) explained their reasoning as follows:
- having many children ensures family stability (27.3%),
- it allows for more effective child-rearing (15.7%),
- it is customary in Armenian society (12.0%),
- it is the modern reality (9.7%),
- it was the belief in my parents’ family, and I want to continue the tradition (6.0%).
The survey was conducted on the streets of Yerevan. Respondents also named several reasons why they hesitate to have more children, including:
- health problems,
- social issues,
- insufficient financial support from the state.
“More than 60% of households have no children”
According to Armenia’s Statistical Committee, the average age at first marriage has increased for both men and women.
“More than 60% of households in Armenia have no children. Around 16% have two children, about 15% have one child, and approximately 7% have three or more children,” the committee reported.
Nevertheless, between 2018 and 2023, Armenia’s total fertility rate — the average number of children born per woman — has slightly increased. Previously at around 1.6, it has now reached 1.9. However, a fertility rate of approximately 2.1 is required to maintain a stable population size.
