Having children used to feel like one of those things that was simply part of the traditional life checklist: finish school, study or work, get married, buy a home and have kids. But is that checklist changing?

A recent News24 article looks at South Africa’s declining birth rate and asks whether parenthood is losing its place as an expected part of adult life. The latest Stats SA figures support the bigger trend: South Africa’s fertility rate has fallen from an average of 2.78 children per woman in 2008 to 2.12 in 2026, while recorded births have been declining since 2020.

But this doesn't mean South Africans have suddenly stopped having babies. The country still has a relatively young population and continues to grow. What is changing is how many children people are choosing to have and potentially when, or whether, they choose to become parents at all.

There are plenty of reasons people might be rethinking parenthood: the cost of raising children, housing, career ambitions, relationships, personal freedom and simply deciding that having children isn't part of the life they want.

Hang out with Anele and The Club on 947 every weekday morning. Popular radio hosts Anele Mdoda, Frankie du Toit, Thembekile Mrototo, and Cindy Poluta take fun to the next level with the biggest guests, hottest conversations, feel-good vibes, and the best music to get you going! Kick-start your day with the most enjoyable way to wake up in Joburg.

Connect with Anele and The Club on 947 via WhatsApp at 084 000 0947 or call the studio on 011 88 38 947

Thank you for listening to the Anele and the Club podcast..

Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00 to Anele and the Club broadcast on 947 https://buff.ly/y34dh8Y

For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/gyWKIkl or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/K59GRzu

Having children used to feel like one of those things that was simply part of the traditional life checklist: finish school, study or work, get married, buy a home and have kids. But is that checklist changing?
A recent News24 article looks at South Africa&rsquo;s declining birth rate and asks whether parenthood is losing its place as an expected part of adult life. The latest Stats SA figures support the bigger trend: South Africa&rsquo;s fertility rate has fallen from an average of 2.78 children per woman in 2008 to 2.12 in 2026, while recorded births have been declining since 2020.
But this doesn't mean South Africans have suddenly stopped having babies. The country still has a relatively young population and continues to grow. What is changing is how many children people are choosing to have and potentially when, or whether, they choose to become parents at all.
There are plenty of reasons people might be rethinking parenthood: the cost of raising children, housing, career ambitions, relationships, personal freedom and simply deciding that having children isn't part of the life they want.
Hang out with Anele and The Club on 947 every weekday morning. Popular radio hosts Anele Mdoda, Frankie du Toit, Thembekile Mrototo, and Cindy Poluta take fun to the next level with the biggest guests, hottest conversations, feel-good vibes, and the best music to get you going! Kick-start your day with the most enjoyable way to wake up in Joburg.
Connect with Anele and The Club on 947 via WhatsApp at 084 000 0947 or call the studio on 011 88 38 947 Thank you for listening to the Anele and the Club podcast.. Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 to 09:00 to Anele and the Club broadcast on 947 <a href="https://buff.ly/y34dh8Y">https://buff.ly/y34dh8Y</a>
For more from the show go to <a href="https://buff.ly/gyWKIkl">https://buff.ly/gyWKIkl</a> or find all the catch-up podcasts here <a href="https://buff.ly/K59GRzu">https://buff.ly/K59GRzu</a>

Experience Joburg's most fun breakfast show. Listen to Anele and the Club on 947 every Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 09:00 on 947 FM or streaming online on 947.co.za.

Experience Joburg's most fun breakfast show. Listen to Anele and the Club on 947 every Monday to Friday from 06:00 to 09:00 on 947 FM or streaming online on 947.co.za.

Anele and the Club on 947

South Africa’s birth rate is falling: are people choosing to have fewer kids?

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