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Are we failing teens by not teaching them about fertility decline in school sex ed classes?

Are we failing teens by not teaching them about fertility decline in school sex ed classes?

As global fertility rates fall, experts say teens need lessons on protecting future fertility, not just avoiding pregnancy.

A wide shot of a group of high school students sit attentively in a bright and modern classroom, listening to their teacher during a lesson. The students, dressed neatly in white shirts and striped ties, represent a typical school environment with diversity and focus. The desks are arranged in rows, with notebooks and pencil cases placed on top.

Published: February 25, 2026 at 10:59 AM

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Falling birth rates might feel like a distant headline for today's kids, but new calls to change what our teenagers learn in school could have a direct impact on their futures.

A leading fertility expert is urging schools to expand sex education so it does not just focus on preventing pregnancy, but also on protecting fertility for later in life. The move, he says, could help tackle declining birth rates in the UK and worldwide, while giving young people the knowledge they need to make informed choices about starting a family when the time is right.

Why fertility education is back in the spotlight

Global fertility rates have more than halved since 1950, and concerns about the long term impact are growing.

In 2025, more women over 40 had babies than women under 20 for the first time in US history (a trend that has been going on since 2015 in the UK). And the average age for a woman to have her first baby is now hovering around 30 for the first time in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Projections show that this trend for older mothers will continue further, with girls who are currently turning 18 predicted to have just one child per woman by the age of 35 as well as having less children overall – an average of 1.52 children during their life compared to the 1.95 children of their mother’s generation and the 2.04 children of their grandmother’s generation.

In a recent commentary in The Lancet, Professor Bart Fauser, scientific director of the International Federation of Fertility Societies, highlighted the scale of the issue and called for action.

"Raising fertility awareness is essential to combat falling birth rates in the UK and worldwide," says Prof Fauser.

"Decreasing fertility rates will result in a decline in the global population towards the end of this century, with smaller populations reshaping the face of societies in ways yet to be fully comprehended," wrote Fauser et al, authors of “Expanding fertility awareness and choices: a public health imperative”.

While conversations about birth rates often focus on economics or social change, Prof Fauser believes part of the solution starts much earlier, in the classroom.

What teens are not currently being taught

pile of books with one title on show saying Sex Education

According to Prof Fauser, school sex education currently centres largely on preventing unwanted pregnancies. He argues that this leaves a gap when it comes to understanding how fertility works and how it can be affected over time.

"Young people need to learn about factors that can affect fertility, including sexually transmitted infections, obesity, smoking, anabolic steroid or cannabis use, delayed childbearing, and exposure to environmental chemicals."

"At present, school sex education focuses mainly on preventing unwanted pregnancies, with little emphasis on family-building strategies that help young people plan for having children later in life."

For many millennial mums who may have faced fertility struggles themselves, this message may resonate. The World Health Organization estimates that one in six couples globally experience infertility. At the same time, surveys show that young adults who want children often face barriers including housing costs, education expenses and concerns about climate change.

It is about informed choice, not pressure

Importantly, Prof Fauser stresses that expanding fertility education is not about telling young people when to have children.
"Understanding fertility isn’t about telling people when to have children. It’s about giving them the facts so they can make informed decisions for their future."

Understanding fertility isn’t about telling people when to have children. It’s about giving them the facts so they can make informed decisions for their future.

Professor Bart Fauser, International Federation of Fertility Societies

He also warns that while teens increasingly turn to social media and online forums for health advice, not all of it is reliable.
"eHealth platforms, chat sites, and social media can be useful for reproductive literacy, but the information isn’t always based on solid science."

For parents navigating conversations about puberty, contraception and relationships at home, the idea of schools offering clearer, science based information about fertility may feel like a helpful step rather than an added pressure.

The More Joy campaign

color image of sperm inseminated egg, life concept

To address the issue, the International Federation of Fertility Societies has launched a global initiative called the More Joy campaign. It aims to provide resources for schools, healthcare professionals and policymakers to improve fertility education and access to care.

The campaign is reaching out to healthcare professionals, companies and policymakers in 130 countries, with materials available in 17 languages. It also calls for more affordable and equitable access to fertility care.

Louise Joy Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, has recently joined the campaign as an ambassador, bringing a powerful reminder of how far reproductive medicine has come in just a few decades.

What this could mean for today's teens

The conversation around fertility can be emotional and deeply personal. For some families, it brings back memories of IVF rounds, long waits for appointments or difficult decisions. For others, it may simply prompt questions about how best to support their children as they grow up.

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has recently urged countries to act now to prevent slowing population growth from harming long term economic prospects. Meanwhile, experts say that societies which support young people in achieving their reproductive goals will be better equipped to adapt to changing population patterns.

"Societies that actively support young people in achieving their reproductive objectives… will be better positioned to navigate the distinct challenges of shifting population dynamics," wrote Fauser et al.

For parents of teens, the debate ultimately comes back to knowledge. If sex education evolves to include fertility awareness alongside contraception, it could mean that the next generation grows up with a clearer understanding of how their bodies work, and how to protect their options for the future.