The Generation Z Paradox: Fertility and Policy in Britain

Name: The Generation Z Paradox: Fertility and Policy in Britain
Start: 2026-03-17T14:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-03-17T15:30:00+01:00
Location: Tas vezér u. 3-7., Budapest, Hungary, 1113

Schedule

Tue Mar 17 2026 at 02:00 pm to 03:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Tas vezér u. 3-7., Budapest, Hungary, 1113 | Budapest, BU

In recent decades, the United Kingdom has faced a historic demographic shift, with the fertility rate in England and Wales dropping to a record low of 1.41. While governments seek urgent remedies, declining birth rates reflect a complex interplay between economic instability and shifting cultural values.
This talk explores the fertility intentions of British Generation Z women, based on a qualitative study of the economic and political uncertainties shaping their choices. While family life is increasingly viewed as a financial and time-intensive burden — exacerbated by the UK’s high childcare costs — many young women still desire children but struggle to reconcile this with the demands of a neoliberal economy.
Key questions to be addressed include:
How do high costs and the shift toward dual-income households reshape fertility ideals?
In what ways do "personal time" and professional identity compete with traditional social responsibilities?
Can policy interventions, such as expanded flexible working, bridge the gap between young people’s aspirations and their reality?
By examining the desire for stability in an unstable world, this session aims to deepen our understanding of whether policy can still effectively support family life in contemporary Britain.
Programme
14:00 – 14:30 | Emma Gilland: The Generation Z Paradox: Fertility and Policy in Britain
14:30 – 15:00 | Panel Discussion
15:00 – 15:30 | Q&A
Panellists
Emma Gilland – Event Coordinator, Academy of Ideas
Georgina Kiss-Kozma – Deputy Director, Youth Research Institute
The event is free to attend, but requires prior registration.
Registration:
https://mcc.hu/esemenyregisztracio/2026-03-17-the-generation-z-paradox-fertility-and-policy-in-britain