Young Adults Misjudge Fertility Decline — What That Means for Reproductive Planning
Recent research highlights a significant gap between young people’s expectations and biological reality when it comes to fertility. A survey of over 1,200 Australian university students found that many underestimate how age affects both female and male fertility, and that misperception may shape important life decisions.
Key Findings
- Only 38% of male students and 45% of female students correctly identified that a woman’s fertility begins to decline significantly in the age range of 35-39.
- Even fewer knew when male fertility starts to decline: just 18.3% of men and 16.9% of women correctly pinpointed the 45-49 age range.
- Despite these knowledge gaps, the vast majority of students (over 90%) said that being in a stable relationship, feeling ready, and sharing responsibility with a partner were essential prerequisites before having children.
- Many of them also expected to complete other life goals — finishing studies, advancing their career, securing childcare — before starting a family, even though those aspirations may push parenthood beyond the most fertile years.
Why This Matters for Reproductive Care
At the National Center for Childbearing & Reproductive Matters (NCCRM), one of our missions is to help people make informed decisions about family planning. This study underlines a critical need for clearer education around the timing of fertility:
- The biological timeline isn’t always aligned with the life timeline. Many young adults report wanting children — even more than one — but also expect to delay parenthood until after completing education, establishing a career, or achieving financial stability. Combining those life goals while staying within optimal fertility windows is often challenging.
- Male fertility matters too. The research confirms that male fertility does decline with age, but awareness of this is very low. Many public messages emphasize the female side of fertility decline; however, men’s reproductive health and timing also deserve attention.
- Start conversations early. Given the low level of knowledge among university students (and likely among non-students too), health practitioners, educators, and fertility counselors should incorporate age-related fertility discussions into earlier life stages. That doesn’t mean pressuring early parenthood — instead, it means knowing the trade-offs, having realistic plans, and choosing proactively.
- Holistic support is essential. The students’ responses show that parenthood decisions are deeply tied to relationship readiness, career progression, childcare access, and financial security. Effective reproductive care must consider these broader social and personal factors, not just biological ones.
Action Steps for Individuals
- Assess your personal timeline. If you plan to have children, ask: when will I be financially stable? When will I have finished my education or built my career? What age will I be then? Compare that to known fertility trends.
- Talk to a reproductive specialist. Suppose there’s a mismatch between your desired timeline and your biological timeline. In that case, it may help to consult a fertility counselor or specialist to explore options (e.g., fertility preservation, assisted methods, or adjusted life-goals).
- Keep both partners in mind. If you’re planning parenthood as a couple, include conversations about both male and female fertility potential, future health, and timing.
- Don’t assume indefinite fertility. It can be tempting to think “we’ll start when we’re ready,” but middle ways of readiness (career, finances, etc.) may push past ideal fertile years. Being “ready” and biologically “optimally fertile” are not always the same.
- Stay informed. Fertility research evolves, and individual health varies. Use resources from certified reproductive health professionals to stay up-to-date.
The study shines light on a disconnect between young people’s expectations about when they’ll be parents and the biological realities of fertility. Building awareness, aligning life plans with reproductive goals, and supporting informed decisions are key to helping individuals and couples navigate this complex terrain.
If you are interested in fertility preservation, contact NCCRM or you may complete the fertility preservation interest form and one of our team members will reach out to you. You may also be interested in our Give and Preserve Program for additional fertility preservation options.
