India, June 10 -- The global fertility slump isn't down to young people turning their backs on parenthood - it's due to social and economic pressures stopping them from having the children they want, says a new UN report.

Titled The real fertility crisis: The pursuit of reproductive agency in a changing world, the report argues that what's really under threat is people's ability to choose freely when - and whether - to have children.

The report draws on a recent UNFPA/YouGov survey covering 14 countries that together represent 37 per cent of the global population.

Economic barriers were the top factor, with 39 per cent of respondents citing financial limitations as the main reason for having fewer children than they would like.

Thirte...