Some Filipino couples are now choosing to care for pets instead of having children, citing financial stability as a top priority, according to the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).
In an interview on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon, CPD spokesperson Mylin Mirasol Quiray said that couples today prefer to be financially secure before starting a family.
“Our data show that many Filipinos now prefer pets over children for economic reasons,” Quiray said. “They want to make sure their finances are in order before deciding to have a baby.”
She also noted that the trend is evident in public spaces, pointing out how pet strollers have become a common sight in malls.
Alongside these insights, the CPD is pushing for responsible parenthood and accessible family planning options. Quiray emphasized the importance of helping couples plan how many children they want and when to have them.
The commission is currently implementing the Philippine Population and Development Plan of Action 2023–2028, which includes efforts to prevent teenage pregnancies and promote healthy aging.
Quiray also urged parents to have open conversations with their children about sexuality. This is in response to a concerning rise in pregnancies among young girls—over 2,000 births by mothers aged 10 to 14 were recorded in 2019, increasing to 3,300 in 2023.
She encouraged families to use proper terms for body parts and teach children about boundaries to prevent abuse at an early age.
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