A significant number of young Europeans express no desire to have children.
European Youth Show Moderate Knowledge About Fertility and Strong Interest in Fertility Preservation
A recent survey conducted by the Future Barometer, a research tool developed by Merck, has revealed some key findings about European youth's knowledge and opinions regarding fertility, access to fertility preservation techniques, and public discussion of these topics.
The survey, which involved over 30,000 young people across 12 European countries, has shown that the desire for parenthood remains alive among European youth. However, there is a gap in reproductive education indicated by a higher level of self-reported knowledge about contraceptive methods compared to fertility.
Approximately 67% of the surveyed young people consider themselves well-informed about fertility, although this is notably lower than the 80% who say they are informed about contraceptive methods. This gap in knowledge highlights the need for improved education about fertility and reproductive health.
Nearly one-third (33%) of the young people surveyed admit they have little or no information about factors affecting their ability to conceive, indicating significant gaps in knowledge about fertility determinants. This lack of knowledge could potentially impact their reproductive health and decision-making.
On a positive note, seven in ten young people believe that access to fertility preservation techniques at a younger age would allow for more independent decision-making about parenthood. The desire for access to fertility preservation techniques at a younger age is associated with the ability to decide more independently about when to have children.
A strong majority, 77%, argue that fertility preservation options and fertility topics should be more publicly discussed to reduce stigma, indicating openness and demand for greater public dialogue. This suggests that young people are eager to address the stigma surrounding fertility and reproductive health.
However, less than half (49%) of the surveyed young people said they had discussed reproductive topics with a healthcare professional, suggesting limited professional guidance and education on fertility. This highlights the importance of healthcare providers in providing accurate and comprehensive information about fertility and reproductive health.
The Future Barometer, which has been used over the past four years to understand the expectations and concerns of younger generations about various topics, including health, innovation, sustainability, and parenting, will continue to be a valuable tool in understanding and addressing the needs and concerns of European youth.
Science plays a crucial role in addressing the knowledge gap regarding fertility and reproductive health among European youth. It's essential to incorporate scientific research and revelations about mental-health, particularly surrounding reproductive health decisions and the impact of limited knowledge on health-and-wellness, in educational curriculums and healthcare resources to support young people.
