{"id":182136,"date":"2024-07-25T09:57:06","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T13:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=182136"},"modified":"2025-07-21T09:41:42","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:41:42","slug":"the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children\/","title":{"rendered":"The Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don\u2019t Have Children"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"how-we-did-this\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;how-we-did-this&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>How we did this<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pew Research Center conducted this study to better understand the experiences of two groups of U.S. adults who don\u2019t have children: those ages 50 and older, and those younger than 50 who say they are unlikely to ever have children. It explores their reasons for not having children or being unlikely to do so, the perceived pros and cons of not having children, and the impact of not having children on their relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most of the analysis in this report is based on a survey of 2,542 adults ages 50 and older who have never had children and 770 adults ages 18 to 49 who don\u2019t have children and say they are not too or not at all likely to have them. The survey was conducted April 29 to May 19, 2024. Most of the respondents who took part are members of the Center\u2019s American Trends Panel (ATP), an online survey panel that is recruited through national, random sampling of residential addresses. This survey also included an oversample of adults ages 50 and older who have never had children from Ipsos\u2019 KnowledgePanel, another probability-based online survey web panel recruited primarily through national, random sampling of residential addresses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Address-based sampling ensures that nearly all U.S. adults have a chance of selection. The survey is weighted to be representative of the U.S. adult population by gender, race, ethnicity, partisan affiliation, education and other categories. Read more about the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/the-american-trends-panel\/\">ATP\u2019s methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The report also includes an analysis comparing the demographic characteristics and economic outcomes of adults ages 50 and older who do not have children with those of parents in the same age group. The data for this analysis comes from the U.S. Census Bureau\u2019s 2021 and 2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.census.gov\/programs-surveys\/sipp.html\">Surveys of Income and Program Participation<\/a> (SIPP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the questions we asked <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W147-50_topline.pdf\">adults ages 50 and older<\/a> who don&#8217;t have children and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W147-18-49_topline.pdf\">adults younger than 50<\/a> who don&#8217;t have children and say they&#8217;re unlikely to have them, along with responses, and <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/adults-without-children-methodology\/\">the survey&#8217;s methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div style=\"border-width:1px;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);--block-gap: inherit\" class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible has-background has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-border-color has-ui-beige-dark-border-color\" id=\"terminology\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/collapsible&quot;}\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;collapsibleId&quot;:&quot;terminology&quot;,&quot;isOpen&quot;:false}\" data-wp-class--is-open=\"context.isOpen\" data-wp-init--scroll-into-view=\"callbacks.onInitScrollIntoView\"><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__title\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.onClick\"><div>Terminology<\/div><button class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__icon\"><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"context.isOpen\"><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-plus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-plus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><span data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!context.isOpen\" hidden><i class=\"icon icon-library__light icon__circle-minus\"><svg style=\"width: 1em; height: 1em;\"><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/plugins\/prc-icon-library\/build\/icons\/sprites\/light.svg#circle-minus\"><\/use><\/svg><\/i><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"wp-block-prc-block-collapsible__content\">\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this report, we do not use the terms \u201cchildless\u201d or \u201cchild-free\u201d to refer to adults who don\u2019t have children. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.apstylebook.com\/topical_most_recent\">Associated Press Stylebook<\/a>, a resource we use often, recommends against using these terms.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the survey findings featured in Chapters 1-3, references to adults who do not have children include those who indicated they have never been a parent or guardian to any children, living or deceased, including biological or adopted children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the analysis of government data in Chapter 4, references to those who do and do not have children include those who have or have not had biological children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">References to college graduates or people with a college degree comprise those with a bachelor\u2019s degree or more education. \u201cSome college\u201d includes those with an associate degree and those who attended college but did not obtain a degree.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=182312\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e2e4dd\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e2e4dd;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"319\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?w=310\" alt=\"Chart shows Growing share of adults under 50 say they\u2019re unlikely to ever have kids\" class=\"wp-image-182312 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=292,300 292w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=394,405 394w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=200,206 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=260,268 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=310,319 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=420,432 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=160,165 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-01.png?resize=320,329 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The U.S. fertility rate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/pressroom\/nchs_press_releases\/2024\/20240525.htm\">reached a historic low in 2023<\/a>, with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/business\/2023\/11\/03\/millennials-only-children\/\">growing share of women ages 25 to 44 having never given birth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And the share of U.S. adults younger than 50 without children who say they are <strong>unlikely to ever have kids<\/strong> rose 10 percentage points between 2018 and 2023 (from 37% to 47%), according to a <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W133_topline.pdf\">Pew Research Center survey<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this report, we explore the experiences of <em>two groups of U.S. adults<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Those ages 50 and older who don\u2019t have children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Those younger than 50 who don\u2019t have children and say they are unlikely to in the future<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About four-in-ten of those in the older group (38%) say there was a time when they wanted to have children.<\/strong> A smaller but sizable share (32%) say they never wanted children, and 25% say they weren\u2019t sure one way or the other. Few say they frequently felt pressure to have children from family, friends or society in general.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reasons for not having children \u2013 or being unlikely to ever have them \u2013 differ between the older and younger groups.<\/strong> The top response for those ages 50 and older is that it just didn\u2019t happen. Meanwhile, those in the younger group are most likely to say they just don\u2019t want to have kids. Women younger than 50 are especially likely to say they just don\u2019t want to have children (64% vs. 50% of men in this group).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Majorities in both groups say not having kids has made it easier for them to afford the things they want, have time for hobbies and interests, and save for the future. <\/strong>In the younger group, about six-in-ten also say not having kids has made it easier for them to be successful in their job or career and to have an active social life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Still, majorities in both groups say <em>parents<\/em> have it easier when it comes to having someone to care for them as they age. <\/strong>Large shares in both groups say having a fulfilling life doesn\u2019t have much to do with whether someone does or doesn\u2019t have children.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These are among the key findings from a new Pew Research Center survey of 2,542 adults ages 50 and older who don\u2019t have children and 770 adults ages 18 to 49 who don\u2019t have children and say they are not too or not at all likely to have them. The survey was conducted April 29 to May 19, 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jump to read more about:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/reasons-adults-give-for-not-having-children\/\">Reasons adults give for not having children<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/perceived-pros-and-cons-of-not-having-children\/\">Perceived pros and cons of not having children<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/relationships-and-caregiving-among-adults-without-children\">Relationships and caregiving among adults without children<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/demographic-and-economic-characteristics-of-adults-50-and-older-without-children\/\">Demographic and economic characteristics of adults 50 and older without children<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;reasons-for-not-having-children&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"reasons-for-not-having-children\">Reasons for not having children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The study explores reasons U.S. adults give for not having children, among those ages 50 and older who haven\u2019t had kids and those under 50 who say they\u2019re unlikely to ever become parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=182313\"><img data-dominant-color=\"eaeae3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #eaeae3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"682\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?w=420\" alt=\"Chart shows Younger and older adults\u2019 reasons for not having children differ widely\" class=\"wp-image-182313 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=185,300 185w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=768,1247 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=631,1024 631w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=249,405 249w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=200,325 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=260,422 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=310,503 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=420,682 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=640,1039 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=740,1202 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=160,260 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-02.png?resize=320,520 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By margins of at least 10 points, those in the younger group are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say each of the following is a major reason:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They just don\u2019t want to have children (57% in the younger group vs. 31% in the older group)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They want to focus on other things, such as their career or interests (44% vs. 21%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concerns about the state of the world, other than the environment (38% vs. 13%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They can\u2019t afford to raise a child (36% vs. 12%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Concerns about the environment, including climate change (26% vs. 6%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They don\u2019t really like children (20% vs. 8%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In turn, a larger share of those in the older group say a major reason they didn\u2019t have kids is that they didn\u2019t find the right partner (33% vs. 24% of those in the younger group).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are no significant differences between the two groups in the shares pointing to infertility or other medical reasons (their own or their spouse\u2019s or partner\u2019s) or to a spouse or partner who didn\u2019t want to have children as major reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among those in their 40s, 22% say infertility or other medical reasons are a major factor in why they\u2019re unlikely to ever have children. About one-in-ten of those ages 18 to 39 (9%) say the same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;the-impact-of-not-having-children&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"the-impact-of-not-having-children\">The impact of not having children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Majorities of adults ages 50 and older who don\u2019t have kids and those under 50 who say they\u2019re unlikely to do so see some benefits to not having children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=182314\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e4e4da\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e4e4da;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" height=\"606\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?w=420\" alt=\"Chart shows Among adults under 50 who say they\u2019re unlikely to have children, large majorities see financial and lifestyle advantages to not being parents\" class=\"wp-image-182314 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png 840w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=208,300 208w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=768,1108 768w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=710,1024 710w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=281,405 281w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=200,289 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=260,375 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=310,447 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=420,606 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=640,923 640w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=740,1068 740w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=160,231 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-03.png?resize=320,462 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But by margins ranging from 17 to 23 points, those in the younger group are more likely than those ages 50 and older to say each of the following has been <strong>easier for them<\/strong> because they don\u2019t have children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Having time for hobbies and interests (80% in the younger group vs. 57% in the older group)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Affording the things they want (79% vs. 61%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Saving for the future (75% vs. 57%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being successful in their job or career (61% vs. 44%, among those who don\u2019t indicate this doesn\u2019t apply to them)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having an active social life (58 vs. 36%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"the-impact-at-work\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The impact at work<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also asked those who are employed about the impact not having children has had on their work lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Experiences are mixed. For example, 45% of those in the younger group and 35% of those in the older group say they\u2019ve had more opportunities to network outside of work hours because they don\u2019t have kids. At the same time, about a third in each group say they\u2019ve been expected to take on extra work or responsibilities, and many also say they\u2019ve been given less flexibility than those who have children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"worries-about-the-future\">Worries about the future<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=182315\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e2e6e5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e2e6e5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"457\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?w=310\" alt=\"Chart shows About 1 in 4 adults 50 and older without children say they frequently worry about who will care for them as they age\" class=\"wp-image-182315 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=204,300 204w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=275,405 275w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=200,295 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=260,383 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=310,457 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=420,619 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=160,236 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-04.png?resize=320,472 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The survey also asked adults ages 50 and older without children about certain concerns they may have <em>as they age<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About one-in-five or more say they worry <em>extremely or very often <\/em>about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Having enough money (35%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Having someone who will provide care for them (26%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Being lonely (19%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A smaller share (11%) say they frequently worry about having someone who will carry on their values and traditions when they\u2019re gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W148_topline.pdf\">a separate survey<\/a>, 46% of <em>parents ages 50 and older<\/em> said they frequently worry about having enough money as they age. Smaller shares said the same about having someone who will provide care for them as they age (20%), having someone who will carry on their values and traditions (17%) and being lonely as they age (15%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;how-the-survey-findings-do-or-don-t-differ-by-gender&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-the-survey-findings-do-or-don-t-differ-by-gender\">How the survey findings do \u2013 or don\u2019t \u2013 differ by gender<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the most part, the experiences of adults without children and the reasons they give for not having them <strong>don\u2019t vary much by gender.<\/strong> This is the case across both age groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, there are some questions on which men and women without kids differ considerably.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among those ages 50 and older, women are more likely than men to say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Being successful in their job or career has been easier because they don\u2019t have children (50% among women vs. 39% among men).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They felt pressure to have children from society in general at least sometimes when they were younger (42% vs. 27%).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=182316\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ebebe8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ebebe8;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" height=\"443\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?w=310\" alt=\"Chart shows Most women under 50 who don\u2019t have kids say a major reason they\u2019re unlikely to have them is they just don\u2019t want to\" class=\"wp-image-182316 not-transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png 620w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=210,300 210w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=283,405 283w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=200,286 200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=260,372 260w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=310,443 310w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=420,600 420w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=160,229 160w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_00-05.png?resize=320,457 320w\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among those ages 18 to 49, women are more likely than men to say each of the following is a major reason they\u2019re unlikely to have children:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They just don\u2019t want to (64% vs. 50%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Negative experiences with their own families growing up (22% vs. 13%)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Women in the younger group are also more likely than their male counterparts to say the topic of whether they\u2019ll have children comes up in conversation with their friends at least sometimes (41% vs. 26%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"demographic-and-economic-differences-between-adults-50-and-older-with-and-without-children\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Demographic and economic differences between adults 50 and older with and without children<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to the survey findings, this report includes an analysis of government data to show how the demographic characteristics and economic outcomes of adults ages 50 and older who don\u2019t have children differ from those ages 50 and older who are parents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among adults in this age group, those who don\u2019t have children are less likely to have ever been married. They are <em>more<\/em> likely to have a bachelor\u2019s degree or more education. This difference in educational attainment is especially pronounced among women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Older women who don\u2019t have children have higher median monthly wages than mothers. The opposite is true among older men; those without children tend to earn less than fathers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Some 57% of adults under 50 who say they are unlikely to have kids say a major reason is they just don\u2019t want to. Among those ages 50 and older, 31% cite this as a reason.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":581,"featured_media":182921,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","sub_headline":"57% of adults under 50 who say they\u2019re unlikely to ever have kids say a major reason is they just don\u2019t want to; 31% of those ages 50 and older without kids cite this as a reason they never had them","sub_title":"","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"ai_generated_summary":"","bylines":[{"key":"_drv0pvlk2","termId":670},{"key":"_8bm1yjq9c","termId":947},{"key":"_bdtalkphc","termId":617}],"acknowledgements":[],"displayBylines":true,"prc_watchers":[],"relatedPosts":[],"reportMaterials":[{"key":"_22dd57zul","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W147-18-49_topline.pdf","label":"Topline ages 18-49","icon":"topline"},{"key":"_l2pypgxmf","type":"link","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2024\/07\/PST_2024.7.26_adults-without-children_W147-50_topline.pdf","label":"Topline ages 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Experiences of U.S. Adults Who Don\u2019t Have Children","slug":"the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/social-trends\/2024\/07\/25\/the-experiences-of-u-s-adults-who-dont-have-children\/","is_active":true},{"id":182169,"title":"1. 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