I can only speak from a German perspective but the real problem from my point of view is that in todays world everything seems as if it is going down slope.<p>Todays generation has less job security than the generation before.<p>Todays generation does not have a secured pension (like the generation before had).<p>It is expected of todays generation to be a life-long learner (if you are not, your economic value drops immediately and if your job gets terminated you fall back to the same support someone receives, who has never worked in their life before).<p>Affordable housing has decreased.<p>It is expected of both parents to work (tell me again why I should have children, if I rarely see them?).<p>Pressure on children has increased as there is less time at school and less time at Uni to learn the same things (do I really want to do this to my possible future children?).<p>Especially for women having a child still is very bad for your career. Also if you have a fixed-term contract (which there is an increasing number of, your maternity employment protection is severely limited).<p>Of course this is just an anecdote, but at least in my circle of friends, those with secured government jobs are the ones having the most children. I would love to see some large-scale data on this subject.