UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey 2026 Vocabulary

Vocabulary and key term definitions derived verbatim from the 2026 UNFPA Demographic Futures Survey report.

Demographic Futures Survey

A global study conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) surveying 108,926 Internet-connected young adults aged 18–39 across 73 countries and territories to examine life goals, partnership formation, and parenthood aspirations.

Replacement Level Fertility Rate

A total fertility rate of 2.1 children per woman, which is the level commonly associated with a population size remaining stable over time.

Top-Rated Life Goals

Economic security and being fit and healthy, each rated as an important life goal by approximately 90 per cent of survey respondents.

Lowest-Rated Life Goal

Having a large network of friends, which ranked lowest among life goals examined, with nearly 24 per cent of respondents rating it as not important.

Top Global Future Concerns

Conflict and security risks, along with economic insecurity and inequality, rated as somewhat or very worrying by more than three quarters of survey respondents.

Lowest-Ranked Global Concern

Artificial intelligence risks, which was the lowest-ranked concern tested across the full sample, though rated as somewhat or very worrying by nearly half of respondents.

Top Barrier to Partnership

Economic and housing constraints, rated as an important barrier to forming a stable partnership by 57 per cent of respondents.

Preconditions for Parenthood

The top-rated conditions required before feeling ready for parenthood, led by being financially secure (88 per cent), having stable employment (87 per cent), and feeling psychologically or emotionally ready (85 per cent).

Leading Motivation for Parenthood

The joy and happiness that children bring, which is the highest-rated reason for having children, cited as important by 80 per cent of respondents.

Top Barrier to Parenthood

Economic and housing constraints, constituted as the highest-rated barrier to having children, with 72 per cent of respondents rating it as important.

Kantar Lightspeed and GeoPoll

The two professional online survey firms that collected data for the Demographic Futures Survey across 59 countries and 14 countries/territories, respectively.

Rights-Based Approach to Demographic Policy

UNFPA's policy approach that views demographic outcomes through the lens of individual agency, choice, and the social, economic, and institutional conditions that enable people to realize the futures they desire.