Poland's low birth rate linked to women's expectations, says expert

Mateusz Łakomy, appearing on the programme "Najważniejsze pytania", explained that Poland's declining fertility is not due to a lack of desire for children but to insufficient conditions for raising families. He argued that many women hold unrealistic expectations about lifestyle and partner status, shaped by social media, dating apps and feminist cultural influences. Łakomy suggested that these expectations, combined with high housing costs and limited economic support, discourage young people from forming partnerships and having children.

He criticised the perception that women are inherently materialistic or narcissistic, framing the issue instead as a systemic problem where societal norms and market pressures lower the perceived attractiveness of male partners while raising expectations for women's living standards. The discussion highlighted the broader demographic challenge Poland faces as birth rates fall despite expressed desire for children.