As birthrates drop, many are left longing for the joys of grandparenting.

  • The U.S. birthrate is declining, leading to fewer grandparents.
  • Only 50% of adults aged 50 to 90 were grandparents in 2023, down from 57% in 2018.
  • 35% of American parents aged 50 to 90 do not have grandchildren, up from 30% in 2018.
  • Reasons for fewer children include financial concerns, career priorities, and personal choices.
  • Some individuals are finding alternative ways to connect with children, such as through foster grandparent programs.

As baby boomers reach the age where they expected to become grandparents, they are facing a surprising reality: fewer of them have grandchildren. The U.S. birthrate has been declining, and many young adults are choosing not to have children, which is reshaping family dynamics and the experience of aging in America. According to census data analyzed by the National Center for Family & Marriage Research, only about half of adults aged 50 to 90 were grandparents in 2023, a decrease from 57% in 2018. This shift has left many older adults feeling disappointed and envious of those who do have grandchildren. Ann Brenoff, a 74-year-old retired journalist, expresses her longing to share family stories with grandchildren, a dream that seems increasingly unlikely as her children opt out of parenthood. While there are still around 67 million grandparents in the U.S., the percentage of older adults without grandchildren is on the rise, with 35% of parents aged 50 to 90 reporting they have no grandkids, compared to 30% just five years prior. The reasons for this trend are varied; many young adults are grappling with high housing costs, student debt, and the desire to focus on their careers. Others are deterred by societal issues like political divisiveness and climate change. This shift has left many parents feeling nostalgic for the traditional family structure. Some, like Monica O’Connor, have come to terms with their child-free children, finding joy in their relationships with nieces and nephews instead. Others, however, struggle with feelings of loss and regret. As the landscape of family life changes, some boomers are finding solace in alternative relationships with children, such as through foster grandparent programs, allowing them to nurture and connect with younger generations in meaningful ways.·

Image Credits: no
Factuality Level: 7
Factuality Justification: The article presents factual data regarding the decline in the percentage of grandparents among older adults, supported by census data and expert opinions. However, it includes personal anecdotes and subjective feelings that may introduce bias and emotional perspectives, which could detract from its overall objectivity.·
Noise Level: 7
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant insights into the changing dynamics of grandparenthood among baby boomers, supported by data and personal anecdotes. It explores societal trends affecting family structures and the emotional responses of individuals, which adds depth. However, it could benefit from a more analytical approach to the long-term implications of these trends.·
Private Companies: Generations United,AmeriCorps Seniors
Key People: Ann Brenoff (retired journalist), Krista Westrick-Payne (assistant director at the Bowling Green center), Rachel Margolis (professor at the University of Western Ontario), Monica O’Connor (not specified), Dominic O’Connor (chief technology officer for a software startup), Laura O’Connor (not specified), Kathy McCoy (marriage and family therapist), Donna Butts (executive director of Generations United), Barbra Williams Cosentino (not specified), Atalaya Sergi (national director of AmeriCorps Seniors), Elnora Terry (not specified)

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: The article discusses societal changes regarding grandparenthood and birth rates, but does not directly impact financial markets or companies.
Financial Rating Justification: The article focuses on demographic and social trends related to grandparenting and childbearing, which do not have a direct financial relevance or impact on financial markets.·
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: The article discusses societal changes regarding grandparenting and the declining birthrate but does not mention any extreme events that occurred in the last 48 hours.·
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: All
Direction: Down
Magnitude: Medium
Affected Instruments: No

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com