Gen Z hasn’t simply decided it doesn’t want kids. In fact, most young people still say they want families. The problem is that many no longer believe they can afford the future that raising children requires.
This video explores why Gen Z is delaying or abandoning parenthood as housing costs explode, gig work replaces stable careers, childcare and healthcare become increasingly expensive, and AI threatens the entry-level jobs young workers depend on to build financial security. We also examine why falling birth rates persist even in countries with generous parental leave and government subsidies. From South Korea to Scandinavia, cash incentives have struggled to reverse a deeper problem. Young adults increasingly lack confidence that their lives will become more stable with time.
Meanwhile, older generations continue to hold a disproportionate share of wealth, property, and government support, leaving younger people to fund systems they’re not convinced will exist for them later.
Gen Z may not be rejecting parenthood, they may simply be refusing to gamble another human life on a future they no longer trust.
00:35 – The Demographic Death Spiral
02:42 – The “Selfish Generation” Myth
04:31 – The Gig Economy Makes Families Impossible
06:49 – What the Great Depression Teaches Us
08:15 – The Wealth Gap Between Generations
11:16 – AI Makes Gen Z’s Future Even Less Certain
12:47 – Why Government Baby Bonuses Keep Failing
15:08 – The System Caused the Birth Rate Crisis
17:43 – Gen Z’s Quiet Rebellion
Narrated by: Josh Risser
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We own nothing… all is owned by the rich …very sad
Cause life sucks
I'm a Millennial and I'm with Gen Z on not having kids. If you can't afford to have kids and can't love them unconditionally, don't have them.
You forgot woman rights are also negatively affecting the economy for financial stability.
Can we stop measuring children in halves please … just use 1-2 or 2-3 or 0-1 … please I keep imagining kirbys being … unfortunately maimed based on your wording.
And what has been the solution the boomer and Gen Xers have come up with? Importing millions of cheap labor from overseas to prop up the pension complex. 25% of Iceland is foreign born, 23% in the UK and nearing 30% here in America. And what has been the result?
I can't buy a home.
I can't get a good job.
Crime is rapidly climbing across the board.
AND even if I'm somehow able to get a house, governments around the word are starting to implement un-realized gains (for example 35% in the Netherlands). So my house I was just barely able to get? Now I have to pay MORE.
They think there beauty are destroyed 😂
There should be legislation against companies replacing workers with AI. At the very least they shouldn’t be allowed any government subsidies while doing this.
Hmm, my money is enough, around RM 1500 (change it to USD yourself please) per month only I used for monthly to live, room rent, give my parents a bit per month and leisure) because I hate socialising except go to library. 😂
Investment have another bracket. Cause I only invest my money from small side hustle money. Entirely into ASB or Tabung Haji. I'm Malaysian Malay.
I don't subscribe to anything. 😅 Use BNPL or credit card six times per year cap for myself.
I have low desire since I'm and introvert. I hate cafe, hate mcd, hate junk food restaurants chain. I only treat all of these expensive food from junk food chain and coffee chain as cheat day meals (once a week). 😂
Coffee or tea I want to drink ? Buy 3 in 1 packet inside a big bag (usually have 20-30 small packets of coffee@tea inside) for convenience, lol. And I only drink these kind of sweet or bitter drink twice a week. Because I'm too lazy to make any type of drink, I love to drink plain water. Less effort.
Though I love cooking SIMPLE THINGS (important), make sure rice is ready@pasta@bihun per day and if I'm too lazy, just buy the ready make protein from the food stall, but rice or carb must be made myself. Prepping was only important if I have my own family, so nope. Hahaha.
I have to donate plasma twice a week to buy food.
Lol …we don't get tips for insider trading
And if you r a Gen z with a record and if you r also trans it is impossible for gig work because I have heard that they are a high risk
It’s not even an act of rebellion it’s an act of survival.
And they have been making food SMALLER with LESS PRODUCTS, for more money!
One of the best episodes I have seen in a bit.
PREACH IT!
Your kids are literal BATTERIES. gen z doesnt wanna make more batteries. 😂😂 Good for them
As a young Gen-Zer, I feel like if the other gens don’t have to go through what the fucking I’m having to go out into in this fucking world y’all got NO SAY, at this point, if it’s fucking urological.
I’m Gen Z, and I’ve always wanted to have two kids and become a father. One girl and one boy. But looking at the economic and political disaster we’re living through, I just can’t bring myself to bring a child into this world. And the dating crisis alone is taking the breath out of all of us.
I can't even buy new clothes
I’m infertile anyway even before learning of this
I don’t think there will be a loving family, Mr. Frodo
I want to have kids. I literally have dreams of it. I also am starting to dread that it won’t ever happen.
I'm childfree and 34 years old. Not having children is not a selfish act. Having children in a world where their future is uncertain and the economy sucks everywhere is selfish. Why put a child who didn't ask to be here through the same stress you are currently in? I don't think people who can't afford kids should have one. "I want kids" is not an excuse to bring a living being who didn't ask to be here who will be financially dependent on you into this world.
Well when your parents were abusive drug addicts AND THEN as an adult you can’t afford rent, electric, water, food on a salary under 6 figures. Why would I bring a child into a life of poverty and instability?
No mention of climate change. At +0.42C per decade, we're looking at 2.5-3C by 2050. Why would I have a child so they can be a wageslave for a couple decades then die horribly