Promoting family-building strategies among key stakeholders: the International Federation of Fertility Societies More Joy™ campaign

A total fertility rate (the average number of children born per woman during their reproductive lifespan) of 2.1, termed the 'replacement level', is needed to keep a population size stable. This index is already below 2 in the great majority of developed and middle-income countries, and current estimates show that by the year 2100, many countries will experience a population decline of more than 50%. This poses an extraordinary challenge to our societies, as a shrinking workforce will produce fewer products and services and therefore less income from taxes to sustain children and elderly individuals. Economic factors such as household income and the cost of housing and childcare have been shown to be strong drivers of the willingness to establish a family; however, current trends in attitudes to childbearing reveal a high percentage of voluntary childlessness, i.e. individuals not willing to have children. The International Federation of Fertility Societies (IFFS) MoreJoy™ campaign seeks to explore the reasons for these cultural changes, is raising awareness of the fertility decline and is committed to promoting education on fertility and infertility prevention, and access to infertility care to all, irrespective of gender or marital status.