This research and data was paid for by Money.com.au. If you use it, please cite and link to our client and Primara Research. Thank you.
New research reveals that nearly half of Australians aged 25–34 have changed their family plans due to financial pressure, with 15% ruling out children entirely. Across every major Australian city, birth rates have fallen sharply over the past decade, Hobart down 30%, Perth, Sydney and Brisbane each down around 19–20%, and the data shows a clear statistical link between housing unaffordability and declining fertility. What makes the findings particularly alarming is how early these decisions are being made: one in four Australians aged 18–24 have already reconsidered having children, despite most not yet being at typical parenting age. For older millennials aged 35–44, the window to change course is narrowing fast, with 14% having opted against additional children, three times the number who are simply delaying. Australia's birth rate crisis is no longer a demographic footnote; it is a direct consequence of a housing and cost-of-living emergency that is reshaping the nation's future in real time.
New research reveals that nearly half of Australians in their prime family-starting years have abandoned or scaled back their plans to have children due to financial pressures. Among 25-34 year olds, 46% have altered their family plans, with 15% deciding against having children entirely.
A Nation-Wide Birth Rate Crisis
Over the past decade, Australia's birth rate has collapsed across every major city. Hobart has experienced the steepest decline at 30%, while the mainland capitals tell a similarly grim story: Perth down 20%, Sydney 19%, Brisbane 19%, Adelaide 18%, with Melbourne's 18% decline representing the smallest fall among major cities.
Regional NSW offers the only relative respite at 6% decline, suggesting families are fleeing metropolitan areas in search of affordability. Yet even this escape route shows deterioration, with the research indicating a strong statistical correlation between housing affordability and declining fertility rates.
In Sydney, where no area now meets affordability benchmarks, the pattern is unmistakable. Birth rates fall most sharply in inner-city suburbs where housing costs are highest, creating a geographic divide in who can afford to start families.
A Generation Deciding Before Their Time
The survey exposes how early financial anxiety is reshaping life decisions. Nearly one in four Australians aged 18-24 (24%) have already reconsidered their family plans, despite most not yet reaching typical parenting age. This early decision-making suggests the trend will intensify as this cohort ages, unless something drastic changes.
The 25-34 age bracket, traditionally the peak years for starting families, shows the most dramatic shift. Beyond the 15% who have ruled out children completely, a further 11% have decided against additional children, while 19% are delaying parenthood, hoping their financial situation or earning capacity improves.
Time Running Out for Older Millennials
Among 35-44 year olds, 24% have changed their family plans. While fewer in this bracket (6%) have decided against having children entirely, 14% have chosen not to have additional children, three times more than those merely delaying. With biological clocks ticking, this group faces a narrower window for reconsideration.
