{"id":20229,"date":"2025-05-19T10:29:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T10:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/?p=20229"},"modified":"2025-06-03T13:33:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T13:33:25","slug":"fertility-gap-why-is-family-planning-a-business-case","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/fertility-gap-why-is-family-planning-a-business-case\/","title":{"rendered":"Fertility Gap \u2013 Why is family planning a business case?\u00a0(Re:Generation Lab)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>The Re:Generation Lab, launched in 2022 as part of the St. Gallen Symposium\u2019s \u201cNew Generational Contract\u201d with the Club of Rome, is a core element of the annual programme, co-creating solutions to key intergenerational equity challenges such as intergenerational leadership, future thinking, and sustainability + innovation.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">By Dr. Anna Brzykcy, Dr. Nora Keller, &amp; Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">As part of the Re:Generation Lab at the 54th St. Gallen Symposium, the Competence Centre for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion of the University of St. Gallen and Merck Switzerland hosted a co-creation session on the fertility gap. Leaders of Today and Tomorrow looked at how low fertility awareness, stigma, and policy blind spots contribute to a growing imbalance from an affected individual perspective\u2014and on what employers and policymakers can do to close the gap.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">Career advancement and family planning remain a binary choice for many\u2014especially women. In Switzerland, the anticipation that pregnancy will harm career prospects leads many to delay parenthood, often increasing the risk of age-related infertility. As life expectancy and professional timelines shift, fertility has become not only a medical and personal issue, but an urgent societal and economic one.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\" data-block-type=\"core\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"680\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143611.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20337\" style=\"width:708px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143611.png 680w, https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143611-300x124.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 680px) 100vw, 680px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-1b400d8 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"1b400d8\"><style>.stk-1b400d8 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:14px !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-1b400d8 .stk-block-text__text{font-size:14px !important}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">           <em>Detailed source references are provided in the white paper<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-eb2ac2a\" id=\"strong-there-are-a-lot-of-misconceptions-circulating-due-to-low-awareness-and-stigma-in-the-population-strong\" data-block-id=\"eb2ac2a\"><style>.stk-eb2ac2a{margin-bottom:0px !important}<\/style><h5 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\"><strong>There are a lot of misconceptions circulating due to low awareness and stigma in the population<\/strong><\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><br><strong><strong>Did you know that<\/strong>&#8230; <\/strong><br>\u2026 20% of the Swiss population experiences or will experience infertility problems in their lifetime?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 50% of men and women want to have two children, but only 38% actually have two children?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 over 50% of Gen Z and Millennials know little to nothing about factors influencing their own fertility?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is not a quick fix and that only 1\/3 of women who undergo this treatment end up delivering a baby?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 men\u2018s infertility is more often the reason for IVF treatment than women\u2018s infertility?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">&#8230; 44% of all promotions go to employees aged 31-40? That is, during the family prime time. With women still taking on a huge amount of care work, it is not surprising that 2\/3 of senior management positions in this age group go to men.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u202669% of women with a tertiary degree expect pregnancy to have a negative impact on their career prospects.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 singles and male couples cannot access fertility treatments in Switzerland?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">\u2026 Switzerland is the only country in Western Europe where no percentage IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is covered by insurance or public funding? This means that the costs of fertility treatments have to be covered privately and can amount to over 50% of annual income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\" data-block-type=\"core\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"367\" src=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143547.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20338\" style=\"width:661px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143547.png 670w, https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-06-03-143547-300x164.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-803e10f stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"803e10f\"><style>.stk-803e10f .stk-block-text__text{font-size:14px !important}@media screen and (max-width:999px){.stk-803e10f .stk-block-text__text{font-size:14px !important}}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">           <em>Detailed source references are provided in the white paper<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-c87c705\" id=\"what-concrete-steps-can-we-take-to-improve-the-situation-br\" data-block-id=\"c87c705\"><style>.stk-c87c705{margin-bottom:0px !important}<\/style><h5 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">What concrete steps can we take to improve the situation?&nbsp;<br><\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Talk more openly about family planning and (in)fertility&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Create safe spaces at work and in private for such sensitive topics&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Support colleagues and friends with fertility issues in a helpful way: Ask (What they need), offer (to help how you can), follow up (later)&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Recognize family planning, pregnancy and childbirth as a normal part of life&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Create career tracks that enable employees to have the careers AND families they want&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\" data-block-type=\"core\">\n<li data-block-type=\"core\">Make fertility treatments accessible and affordable for everyone&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-8161735\" id=\"what-concrete-steps-can-we-take-to-improve-the-situation-br\" data-block-id=\"8161735\"><style>.stk-8161735{margin-bottom:0px !important}<\/style><h5 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Why it matters<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\">If generational equity is the foundation for future-fit leadership, then fertility policy must become part of the conversation. A system that discourages family formation\u2014through financial barriers, institutional silence, or career penalties\u2014harms not just individuals, but the workforce and society as a whole. Forward-looking leadership includes enabling people to lead full lives, across all life stages.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong><strong>Download our white paper on fertility and family planning:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>English: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.diversity-inclusion-platform.ch\/if-only-i-knew-fertility-policy-and-family-planning-in-switzerland\/?noredirect=de-DE\">Read and download &#8220;If only I knew: Fertility policy and family planning in Switzerland&#8221;&nbsp;here<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Deutsch: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diversity-inclusion-platform.ch\/haette-ich-nur-bescheid-gewusst-familienplanung-und-fertilitaet-in-der-schweiz\/\"><strong>Lesen und laden Sie sich den vollst\u00e4ndigen Bericht &#8220;H\u00e4tte ich nur Bescheid gewusst: Familienplanung und Fertilit\u00e4t in der Schweiz&#8221; hier herunter<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p data-block-type=\"core\"><strong>Fran\u00e7ais<\/strong><em>:<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.diversity-inclusion-platform.ch\/si-seulement-javais-su-politique-de-la-fertilite-et-planification-familiale-en-suisse\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Veuillez lire et t\u00e9l\u00e9charger ici le rapport complet intitul\u00e9 &#8220;Politique de la fertilit\u00e9 et planification familiale en Suisse&#8221;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\" data-block-type=\"core\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"945\" height=\"532\" src=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bild.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bild.png 945w, https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bild-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Bild-768x432.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 945px) 100vw, 945px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-7f72c26\" data-block-id=\"7f72c26\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Dr. Anna Brzykcy, Dr. Nora Keller, &amp; Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Re:Generation Lab, launched in 2022 as part of the St. Gallen Symposium\u2019s \u201cNew Generational Contract\u201d with the Club of Rome, is a core element of the annual programme, co-creating solutions to key intergenerational equity challenges such as intergenerational leadership, future thinking, and sustainability + innovation.&nbsp; By Dr. Anna Brzykcy, Dr. Nora Keller, &amp; Prof. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":20233,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13,14],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[248,249,250],"class_list":["post-20229","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insights","category-sympact"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":6}},"acf":[],"featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627.jpg",2160,660,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-300x92.jpg",300,92,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-768x235.jpg",768,235,true],"large":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-1024x313.jpg",1024,313,true],"xl":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-1600x489.jpg",1600,489,true],"xxl":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627.jpg",2160,660,false],"xxxl":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627.jpg",2160,660,false],"xxxxl":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627.jpg",2160,660,false],"xxxxxl":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627.jpg",2160,660,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-1536x469.jpg",1536,469,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/DSC03105-1-e1748957681627-2048x626.jpg",2048,626,true]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"<p>The Re:Generation Lab, launched in 2022 as part of the St. Gallen Symposium\u2019s \u201cNew Generational Contract\u201d with the Club of Rome, is a core element of the annual programme, co-creating solutions to key intergenerational equity challenges such as intergenerational leadership, future thinking, and sustainability + innovation.&nbsp; By Dr. Anna Brzykcy, Dr. Nora Keller, &amp; Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander&nbsp; As part of the Re:Generation Lab at the 54th St. Gallen Symposium, the Competence Centre for Diversity, Disability and Inclusion of the University of St. Gallen and Merck Switzerland hosted a co-creation session on the fertility gap. Leaders of Today and Tomorrow&hellip;<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"<a href=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/category\/insights\/\" rel=\"category tag\">INSIGHTS<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/symposium.org\/category\/sympact\/\" rel=\"category tag\">SYMPACT<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Nick Postnow","url":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/author\/nick-postnow\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","authors":[{"term_id":248,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"dr-anna-brzykcy","display_name":"Dr. Anna Brzykcy","avatar_url":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/gravatars\/762b22de4bf1bf3924204e9b02554eaa","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""},{"term_id":249,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"dr-nora-keller","display_name":"Dr. Nora Keller","avatar_url":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/gravatars\/762b22de4bf1bf3924204e9b02554eaa","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""},{"term_id":250,"user_id":0,"is_guest":1,"slug":"prof-dr-gudrun-sander","display_name":"Prof. Dr. Gudrun Sander","avatar_url":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/gravatars\/762b22de4bf1bf3924204e9b02554eaa","0":null,"1":"","2":"","3":"","4":"","5":"","6":"","7":"","8":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20229","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20229"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20229\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20346,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20229\/revisions\/20346"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20229"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20229"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20229"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/symposium.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=20229"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}