A recent National Women’s Health Survey, commissioned by the Irish Examiner and conducted by Ipsos B&A, reveals that a growing number of women in Ireland are deciding not to have children or to delay starting a family. The survey included responses from 1,078 women aged 18 and older, shedding light on the complex factors behind these choices.
Fertility Challenges Are Common
Among women who are currently pregnant or have had a child, one in five reported experiencing fertility difficulties. Of those women, 80% sought medical advice for their infertility or their partner’s, and more than half underwent fertility treatments such as IVF.
Despite these challenges, nearly half (49%) of women who already have children say they do not plan to have more. Just 45% intend to have another child.
Financial Concerns Influence Family Planning
Financial considerations play a major role in decisions about having children. Galway resident Serena Matthew, in her early 40s and mother of two, explains her choice: “We originally planned for two children. After our second, having a third just wasn’t feasible. The cost of raising kids and the limited space in our home made it clear that two was enough.”
Matthew’s experience is common—over one-third of survey respondents say they do not feel financially able to have a child or another child, with many more uncertain. Only 11% disagree with this financial barrier.
Dr. Dora Tuda, a research officer at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), highlights the connection between finances and childbearing. “A quarter of women report delaying children until they meet certain financial or career milestones, a trend seen more often among middle-class women,” she says.
The ‘Child Penalty’ and Income Loss
Tuda explains a significant economic challenge known as the ‘child penalty’—the wage reduction many women face after having children. “Women often experience income losses of around 20% compared to men with similar qualifications,” she notes. This is due to maternity leave, slower career progression after returning to work, and missed promotion opportunities.
Parental leave policies in Ireland also tend to place the burden on women. Mothers receive 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, while fathers receive just two weeks of paid paternity leave, reinforcing income disparities.
Some countries are working to address this. Spain, for example, introduced mandatory equal parental leave, splitting one year evenly between both parents to encourage shared childcare responsibilities and reduce financial penalties for mothers.
Rising Costs and Changing Life Priorities
The high cost of raising children is a growing concern. Recent estimates from Laya Life put the expense of raising a child to age 21 at approximately €169,000.
But financial issues aren’t the only factor. Women today spend longer in education and take more time to establish stable careers. Unpaid internships, gap years, and housing market challenges—where the median age for first-time homebuyers rose from 33 in 2010 to 37 in 2021—all contribute to delaying parenthood.
Cultural shifts also play a part. “There’s a stronger trend toward smaller families or choosing to remain childless compared to 20 years ago,” says Tuda.
Personal Stories Reflect Broader Trends
Bonnie O’Halloran, 25, from Naas, is among the women who choose not to have children. Suspecting she has endometriosis, she fears pregnancy’s impact on her health. Beyond medical concerns, Bonnie cites climate anxiety, financial instability, and a lack of career security as reasons.
“Most of my friends feel the same. We’re focused on the climate and finances rather than pregnancy itself. Many of us still live with our parents because we can’t afford to be independent yet,” she explains.
While Bonnie loves children and considers adoption in the future, she stresses the pressure women face regarding family expectations. “When I say I don’t want kids, people often say I’ll change my mind. But I haven’t.”
