Why Utahns aren’t having more kids, in this week’s Inside Voices

Happy Saturday, and welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.

Utah’s fertility rate is declining, research shows. And it’s reflective of a broader national trend.

Amid efforts to boost family growth, I asked Utahns whether or not they want kids — and what might be stopping them. Here’s what you shared:

Cost

“I am 31 and do want to have kids, and I want to adopt, but I worry about being able to afford kids whether I adopt or have biological kids. I worry that I would not be able to cover for child support, as a woman who intends to continue to work. I worry that I wouldn’t be able to afford a rental or home that is big enough for a family.” — Georgie, Salt Lake City

“It is not an easy decision to not have kids, but I think about how dramatically my life would change financially. There are some estimates that it costs $200k+ to raise a child to the age of 18 in the U.S. Childcare rates are high and I would need to divert ~$2k a month to childcare expenses (for a short time, I know), more for any babysitting needs, and my monthly health insurance costs would go from $0 to $200+ per paycheck with my company.” — Megan, Salt Lake City

“I always wanted to be a mom. It’s not that I didn’t want kids, it’s that I simply can’t afford to have them. Even with insurance, the cost of giving birth is more than we can manage. And after that, daycare alone would cost us between $1,200 and $2,800 a month, basically a second mortgage. We don’t have help from parents or extended family, so every cost and responsibility would fall entirely on us. We didn’t choose to be child free; we were priced out of parenthood.” — Rebecca, Sandy

Political climate and culture

“I would like to have a kid. Financially that’s impossible, but even if I could afford to support a child I wouldn’t raise them here. I want my child to have support if they are queer, neurodivergent, or have other special needs. I don’t think that support is found here. The state legislature is openly hostile to trans kids, and they have demonstrated a willingness to disregard the rights of children to the care they need. They don’t listen to voter driven ballot initiatives, so I doubt they would ever listen to my concerns.” — Evan, Salt Lake City

“I am married and would love to have kids, but the blatant fascism at the state and federal levels of government in this country makes me scared of bringing a new person into this world. It would be very difficult to provide a child with a hopeful future while knowing about the climate crisis, housing crisis, rising costs of everything, kidnapping and deportation of American citizens, and more.” — June, Provo

Infertility

“We have been unable to have kids due to infertility. IVF is our next step and it is so expensive, it is almost unattainable. We have had second thoughts as the current environmental and political situations make us worry about the world we would be bringing children into.” — Felicia, Lehi

“I want kids, but I’ve been struggling with infertility for 4.5 years now. Doctors are too worried about making money and not worried about helping to get answers. They won’t dig any deeper as to what is causing the infertility. At this point, I don’t have insurance to cover infertility treatment or IVF and it’s too expensive.” — Kadee, Santaquin

Share your perspective on having — or not having — kids.

Utah Voices

Utah’s tie to land and community

“The truth is, our relationships with people and place are inseparable,” writes Rachel Gardner, director of the Spanish Fork Community Garden. “Healthy soil grows healthy communities. But right now, both are eroding. We’re losing biodiversity, ecological resilience and the places where memory and community take root. In just 20 years, we’ve watched the fertile orchards and family farms that once fed this valley vanish.” Read more.

Trump’s impact on scientific research in Utah

“President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget, if approved by Congress, would have a catastrophic effect on Utah’s semiconductor industry, grinding crucial scientific research to a halt, depriving the workforce of trained experts, and eroding our nation’s technological prowess amid increased global competition,” writes Zlatan Akšamija, a researcher at The University of Utah. “I urge Sens. Mike Lee and John Curtis to reject Trump’s spending plan, which would devastate our nation’s science agencies.” Read more.

Getting around the pride flag ban

“It is absurd that Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz dismissed Salt Lake City’s move to get around a state ban on pride flags at public buildings as ‘political theatrics,’” writes the editorial board. “The ban itself, passed by the Utah Legislature in March as HB77, is nothing more than performance art. Except, instead of trying to be inclusive, as the city is, the state-imposed ban is intended to be hurtful.” Read more.

Share Your Perspective

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? Share it with me — and other Tribune readers.

From Bagley’s Desk

I’m always looking for unique perspectives, ideas and solutions that move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here, and drop me a note at voices@sltrib.com.