Latest news with #economicfactors
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
I've Seen The 'Real Fertility Crisis' Up Close – I Couldn't Have A Baby Even If I Wanted One
At the moment, I'm sitting surrounded by fans following a dangerously hot, climate change-fuelled heatwave. In my ears, news of international conflict plays next to conversations about welfare cuts. My bank account is pretty bare following a rent payment that's gone up slightly more than the London standard 32% since I moved here in 2019, a year that kicked off a pandemic made more likely by issues like deforestation. I never wanted kids, but even if I did, I don't think I'd feel broody right now. And if I was, child-rearing would be financially unviable, or at least deeply irresponsible. It's not that this is the first generation to reach childbearing years in the face of serious conflict, wealth inequality, and existential dread, or that I'm facing the worst end of those (I am not). But a new survey of over 14,000 people by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has shown that declining fertility rates across the world appear to be driven more by economic factors and other causes outside of women's individual control than by their will. 'Vast numbers of people are unable to create the families they want,' Dr Natalia Kanem, executive director of the UNFPA, said. 'The issue is lack of choice, not desire, with major consequences for individuals and societies. 'That is the real fertility crisis, and the answer lies in responding to what people say they need: paid family leave, affordable fertility care, and supportive partners.' It's a sentiment I've seen among my peers – even loved ones who really want kids simply cannot have them. 'It is impossible to buy or have affordable rent in my city,' an anonymous Mexican woman told the UNFPA when explaining why she hasn't had the children she wants yet. She's among the 54% of respondents from 14 countries who put 'economic concerns' at the top of their list. It's the most common reason friends who want kids say they've capped the number they'll have, or ruled it out entirely. 24% are affected by health issues, meanwhile (a relative who is on one of the NHS's many far-too-long waitlists has put off having kids for now), while 19% say they're just too worried about the future to grow their family to their ideal size. Almost 20% of reproductive-age adults won't be able to have the number of kids they want due to factors like these, the UNFPA report shows. That's a shame, not only because people who are keen to start a family are being prevented from doing so, but also because birth rates are below the replacement rates in a lot of the world. 'Everywhere we look, people are struggling to freely realise their reproductive aspirations,' the report reads. The report rightly warns against treating fertility rates as a resource best managed by punishing or restrictive laws. 'Whether the policies are coercive or not, there are real risks to treating fertility rates as a faucet to be turned on or off,' it reads. 'Many of the countries that are today seeking to increase fertility have, within the last 40 years, sought to decrease birth rates' – countries like China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Türkiye. Coercive methods of population control can be unethical and are not beneficial. 'The real solution to the crisis of reproductive agency we are facing is to build a more equitable, sustainable and caring world that supports individuals to have the families they aspire to,' the report reads. It's not about setting demands for women which can violate our human rights, the UNFPA add, but about seriously considering that 'Many people would choose to have children if they could be sure the world they are bringing them into offered a clean environment, a healthy economy and a safe place to live.' Disabled Children And Families At 'Breaking Point' Over Lack Of Support It's 2025 And Things Are Getting Worse, Not Better, For Mums At Work 'It's Impossible To Live A Good Life': The Bleak Reality Of Living Off Maternity Pay
CBS News
09-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
3 gold investments to consider at today's price
We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Gold bars that weigh less than one ounce could be worth exploring in today's elevated gold price climate. Getty Images/iStockphoto Gold investing has been in the news frequently in recent years. Whether it was due to a surge in investing popularity, a continuously record-breaking price increase or the hedge against inflation it could provide against decades-high inflation, chances are good that you've heard and read about gold investing (and its pros and cons) recently. One ongoing news item in the gold space revolves around its price spike, specifically. Starting 2024 priced at just $2,063.73, the price of gold has soared in the time since and is now priced at $3,338.04 per ounce, a remarkable 61% increase in less than 18 months. There is strong speculation that gold could even hit the $4,000 per-ounce price milestone, should certain economic factors align. While these prices may be discouraging to prospective investors, particularly beginners new to precious metals, they shouldn't be. With such a wide variety of gold investing options available, investors just need to know where to look and what type to choose to secure the inflation-hedging and portfolio-diversifying benefits gold can still provide. Below, we'll examine three gold investments to consider at today's price. Start protecting your portfolio with a portion of gold here now. 3 gold investments to consider at today's price Here are three gold types that will allow investors to benefit from gold without having to pay today's top price to do so: 1-gram gold bars Gold is traditionally priced by the ounce. But if you purchase a smaller amount, then you'll pay less for your gold, even if it means starting with less. With 28 grams in an ounce, investors can buy multiple 1-gram gold bars, for example, without coming close to having to pay the price associated with the higher gold amount. It may not be the preferred amount of gold you'd want in your portfolio, but it does help you get started in the gold market. These bar sizes also tend to come with less costs for insurance and storage that heavier gold investments typically require, offering additional savings to investors. Explore your top physical gold investment options online today. Gold ETFs Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may sound complicated (and expensive), but in reality, they're neither. These are funds traded on stock exchanges that allow investors to invest in gold at amounts much lower than an ounce (think one-tenth or even one-hundredth of an ounce). That said, the physical tangibility of investing in gold bars and coins of similar size will not be available with this option and it may require a more hands-on monitoring of the gold market than you may be comfortable with. So, go into a prospective gold ETF investment process clear-eyed, understanding what it can and can't offer in today's high gold price climate. Fractional gold coins Similar to the other options on this list, fractional gold coins allow investors to get started with gold at an amount less than one troy ounce. This gold type is also worth researching for those investors who prefer to stay with the physical metal. They're affordable, accessible, and, thanks to the lower entry price point, easier to sell should you want to readjust your gold allocations in the future. Just be careful when buying larger quantities, however, as storage and insurance concerns may come into play if there's a lot of physical gold to manage. The bottom line An elevated gold price point doesn't mean investors have to look to alternative assets. With options like 1-gram gold bars, gold ETFs and fractional gold coins, either individually or in combination with one another, investors can still secure the benefits a gold investment has always offered without having to pay today's elevated costs to get it. That said, the traditional gold investing advice of limiting it to 10% or less of your portfolio still applies, even at the lower entry price points. By keeping your gold a limited but vital portion of your overall portfolio, you'll improve your long-term chances of investing success.
