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For previous generations, having children was often seen as a natural part of adulthood. You finished school, built a career, got married and started a family. But that timeline seems to be changing.

A 2026 study published in the South African Medical Journal found that births recorded in South Africa’s public-sector healthcare facilities fell by 20% between 2021 and 2025. More South Africans are choosing to have children later in life, while others are questioning whether parenthood is something they want at all.

My 20-year-old cousin recently told me she doesn’t plan on having children until she’s 40. And honestly, she’s not alone. The rising cost of housing, childcare and education, changing career priorities and evolving ideas about relationships are all influencing the way people think about starting a family.

What’s the biggest factor influencing your decision about having children: money, your career, your relationship, or simply not wanting them?