Seeing The Childfree Phenomenon, Lifestyle Choices That Are Not Only Triggered By The Economy Are Difficult

JAKARTA - The decision to live a life without children, or known as childfree, is now increasingly being met, especially in urban areas such as Jakarta.

Not only for economic reasons, this choice often reflects changes in the mindset of the younger generation towards life, long-term planning, and quality of life. In the midst of high cost of living, career demands, as well as increasing awareness of parenting responsibilities, the more individuals and partners choose a different lifeline from the traditional norms of children's families.

According to the DKI Jakarta Empowerment, Child Protection and Population Control Agency (PPAPP), increasing poverty is not the only reason behind the childfree trend. The head of the DKI PPAPP Office, Iin Mutmainnah, explained that this phenomenon is the result of various related factors.

"Although the increase in the poverty rate can be one of the background decisions of some residents, we see it as part of the multifactor dynamics, not the only cause," said Iin, as quoted by ANTARA.

Data from the DKI Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that in March 2025, the poverty rate was at 4.28 percent, an increase of 0.14 percent from September 2024. However, when compared to the same period the previous year, there was a slight decrease of 0.02 percent.

Iin emphasized that economic conditions can indeed affect decisions to postpone or not have children. However, this is not the only consideration. In big cities like Jakarta, many young couples use the cost of living, careers, and quality of life as the main consideration in planning their families.

"The childfree phenomenon is not only influenced by economic problems, but also by lifestyle choices, personal values, future planning, and awareness of long-term responsibilities," he explained.

Regarding efforts to make Jakarta a global city, Iin emphasized that the development of quality human resources remains the key. Therefore, education about the readiness to become a parent and family planning remains an important part of the sustainable development program.

PPAPP DKI continues to develop various programs to maximize demographic bonuses, namely conditions when the number of productive age residents is at the highest point. According to Iin, this potential can only be utilized if the younger generation has access to education, health, and job opportunities.

He also highlighted that the childfree phenomenon in developed countries has caused a significant reduction in birth rates, which has an impact on demographic imbalance, with the number of elderly people who exceed productive age. This condition risks reducing national productivity and increasing fiscal burden.

Therefore, maintaining a balanced birth rate is one of the important strategies to ensure sustainable development, without neglecting individual rights to choose their own path.