The study’s core findings painted a clear picture of the agonizing choices faced by Maldivian couples. A staggering 55.5 per cent of the women surveyed expressed a desire for larger families, only to be thwarted by the stark reality of inadequate living space.

The scenic beauty of the atols of the Maldives belie a growing demographic challenge. A groundbreaking study jointly conducted by the Maldives National University (MNU) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has cast a stark light on the primary drivers behind the nation’s steadily declining fertility rate: the relentless pressure of housing costs and the pervasive strain of financial limitations. The findings, unveiled at a significant ceremony at MNU attended by key government ministers, underscore a profound shift in societal dynamics and economic realities that are reshaping the Maldivian family.

The research, meticulously titled “Social and Economic Factors in Fertility in Maldives,” delved deep into the experiences and perspectives of 479 women aged between 18 and 45, alongside valuable input from men and healthcare professionals through focused group discussions. The demographic snapshot of the female participants revealed an average age of 32.8 years, with a notable 10 per cent identifying as unmarried and a significant 83 per cent being in their first marriage. Perhaps most telling were the statistics indicating that a substantial 33 per cent did not have children residing with them, and over a quarter, 27 per cent, had yet to experience parenthood.

The Crushing Weight of Housing and Finances

The study’s core findings painted a clear picture of the agonizing choices faced by Maldivian couples. A staggering 55.5 per cent of the women surveyed expressed a desire for larger families, only to be thwarted by the stark reality of inadequate living space. In a densely populated island nation where land is a premium, the escalating costs and limited availability of suitable housing have become a formidable barrier to expanding families. Imagine a young couple yearning for a third child, yet confined to a small apartment where adding another crib feels like an insurmountable logistical challenge. This sentiment resonated powerfully throughout the study.

Closely trailing the housing crisis was the crippling effect of financial difficulties, cited by 40.9 per cent of the women as the primary reason for limiting their family size. The rising cost of living, encompassing everything from food and education to healthcare and transportation, places an immense burden on young families. The prospect of providing adequately for multiple children in an increasingly expensive environment becomes a daunting calculation, often leading to the difficult decision to either delay or forgo having more children.

Health concerns, while significant for 27 per cent of the respondents regarding second pregnancies, took a backseat to the overwhelming impact of housing and financial insecurity. This highlights the fundamental nature of these two constraints, acting as gatekeepers to family expansion for a majority of Maldivian women.

A Cry for Policy Intervention

The study’s findings translated directly into clear demands for policy intervention. An overwhelming 43.3 per cent of the women believed that financial incentives from the government would significantly encourage them to consider having more children. This suggests that direct financial support, perhaps through child benefits or subsidies, could alleviate some of the economic anxieties associated with raising a family.

Furthermore, 16.8 per cent of the women identified the provision of more spacious housing as a crucial factor in facilitating larger families. This underscores the urgent need for innovative housing solutions and urban planning that prioritizes the needs of families. The suggestion of free housing as a means to boost birth rates, while perhaps ambitious, further emphasizes the desperation for affordable and adequate living spaces.

The study’s recommendations offered a comprehensive roadmap for policymakers:

• Prioritized Housing: Implementing policies that prioritize housing allocation for families with more than two children, perhaps through subsidized schemes or preferential access.
• Accessible Childcare: Establishing government-subsidized daycare centers conveniently located near state agencies, easing the burden on working parents and encouraging female labor force participation.
• Work-Life Balance: Enacting flexible work policies and promoting job-sharing opportunities to enable parents to better balance their professional and family responsibilities.
• Strengthened Parental Leave: Enhancing the provisions for both maternity and paternity leave across both government and private institutions, fostering a more equitable distribution of childcare responsibilities.
• Responsive Healthcare: Addressing underlying health issues that impede childbearing through improved access to specialized care and reproductive health services.

Shifting Societal Norms and Economic Realities

Beyond the immediate pressures of housing and finance, the study also illuminated the evolving attitudes towards family size. While a significant 28 per cent of women still considered three children to be the ideal family size, a larger proportion, 56 per cent, indicated a preference for smaller families. This shift reflects a confluence of factors, including the increased emphasis on female education and career aspirations, coupled with the practical challenges of raising children in a modern Maldivian society.

The interviews with women aged 18-45 further contextualized these trends. Younger women (18-25) cited the pursuit of education, career establishment, and evolving lifestyles as reasons for delaying childbirth. In contrast, women in the 30-45 age group pointed to the harsh realities of financial strain, strained marital relationships, and personal fertility issues as significant impediments to having more children.

The Neglected Aspect of Male Infertility and Systemic Gaps

The perspectives of healthcare experts added another crucial layer to the analysis. They highlighted a critical gap in addressing men’s infertility and related reproductive health problems, suggesting a need for greater awareness, research, and accessible treatment options. They also echoed the concerns about workplace barriers and the inadequacy of current childcare support systems. The call for the expansion of daycare services and the implementation of ethical fertility protocols underscores the need for a more comprehensive and supportive ecosystem for families.

Policy makers, in their contribution to the study, acknowledged the absence of a cohesive national policy on reproductive health. They advocated for the development of robust data systems and a holistic childcare system that caters to the needs of all children. The recognition that the prevailing work environment and housing conditions actively discourage people from having children signifies a growing awareness of the systemic issues at play.

Men’s Voices: Shared Concerns, Uneven Support

The focus group meetings with men revealed a shared understanding of the challenges. They corroborated that decisions regarding family size are typically made jointly with their partners, with financial stability and adequate housing consistently emerging as major stumbling blocks. Interestingly, they also pointed out a disparity in workplace support, noting that while women’s career aspirations are generally encouraged, men often lack similar support structures when balancing work and family life.

A Stark Demographic Decline

The historical data on fertility rates in the Maldives paints a concerning picture. The dramatic drop from 6.4 per cent in 1990 to a mere 1.7 per cent in 2022 underscores the urgency of addressing the underlying causes. Compared to other nations in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), where Afghanistan currently holds the highest fertility rate, the Maldivian trajectory signals a significant demographic shift with potential long-term implications for the nation’s social and economic fabric.

The Broader Context: Insights from the Child Equity Census

The Maldives Child Equity Census of 2022, provides a broader socio-economic context for the findings of the MNU-UNFPA study. The census highlights the ongoing transformation of Maldivian family structures, with a clear move away from larger extended families towards smaller nuclear units. This shift, influenced by increased access to information and communication technologies, globalization, and internal migration, has often resulted in both parents needing to participate in the workforce. This dual-income necessity, while contributing to economic development, simultaneously intensifies the challenges of childcare and balancing work responsibilities, further impacting decisions about family size.

The census data also reveals a significant demographic shift in the composition of the Maldivian population. In 2022, children constituted only 31 per cent of the population, a notable decrease from a peak of 53 per cent. This aging demographic profile raises concerns about future workforce capacity, social security systems, and the overall long-term sustainability of the nation’s development.

Charting a Course for the Future

The MNU-UNFPA study serves as a critical wake-up call, providing compelling evidence of the profound impact of housing and financial constraints on the fertility decisions of Maldivian couples. The comprehensive recommendations offer a tangible pathway for policymakers to create a more supportive and enabling environment for families. Addressing the housing crisis through innovative and affordable solutions, implementing robust financial support mechanisms, fostering work-life balance through progressive workplace policies, and strengthening healthcare and childcare infrastructure are all crucial steps towards reversing the declining birth rate and ensuring a vibrant and sustainable future for the Maldives. The hope expressed by both MNU and UNFPA that this study will ignite a meaningful dialogue and inform evidence-based policymaking is a crucial first step in navigating this complex demographic challenge.