Young adults in the U.S. and Canada report feeling conflicted about having children due to significant financial pressures.
This trend highlights a growing gap between the desire for parenthood and the economic reality of adulthood. As housing costs and general living expenses rise, a generation is questioning whether the traditional family structure is sustainable under current market conditions.
Data from a BMO survey released in August 2026 indicates that 70% of Gen Z individuals want children but worry about the financial impact [1]. Similarly, 69% of Millennials expressed the same conflict [1]. These figures suggest that the desire for children remains high, but the perceived ability to afford them has diminished.
Economic instability is not limited to the cost of raising a child. A significant portion of the young adult population is struggling to achieve basic independence. Reports indicate that 42% of U.S. adults remain financially dependent on their parents [2]. This reliance creates a secondary barrier to parenthood, as many are unable to secure the stability required to support a new dependent.
For many, the dilemma is a binary choice between financial security and family. Approximately 50% of Millennials said they feel pressure to choose between maintaining their economic stability and becoming parents [3]. This pressure is driven by high housing prices, and a rising cost of living that makes the prospect of parenthood seem like a risk to their overall economic situation [1], [2].
These trends suggest that the decision to delay or forgo children is not necessarily a cultural shift in preference, but a calculated response to economic volatility. The conflict persists across both the U.S. and Canada, reflecting a broader North American trend of financial precariousness among young workers [1].
“70% of Gen Z individuals want children but worry about the financial impact.”
The data points to a systemic economic barrier rather than a social shift in values. When a majority of young adults desire children but feel unable to afford them, it suggests that current wage growth and housing policies are not keeping pace with the costs of family formation. This may lead to long-term demographic shifts, including lower birth rates and an aging population, as financial stability becomes a prerequisite for parenthood.
