Why the baby business is booming

The business of surrogacy is growing fast, as fertility rates fall and demand from gay parents rises. This global trade has a dark underbelly, and needs policing.
00:51 America: putting a price on family
05:32 What’s driving demand?
07:52 How did surrogacy become a global trade?
11:30 Surrogacy’s dark underbelly
16:49 How can surrogacy be better regulated?
21:10 What’s in the child’s best interest?
Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: econ.st/3QAawvI
Read our full quarterly report on fertility: econ.st/44YZqqD
The fertility sector is booming: econ.st/3rntoHm
Surrogacy reform is spreading in the rich world: econ.st/46jxFdK
Watch more of our Now & Next series econ.st/46f9mgU OR econ.st/3PrywBZ
Listen to our podcast about Britain’s proposed surrogacy law reforms: econ.st/44Wcayl
Watch our film about whether it’s worth having kids: econ.st/3Pr0SMR

[@asbisi]

I cannot see how this is not human trafficking. You are buying and selling human beings. Furthermore, selfishly, many couples choose to have two (or more?) eggs implanted in the surrogate mother. Which, 1. is harder on/riskier for the surrogate mother, 2. riskier for the babies´ lives. Deaths in twins are more common than in single babies. Tearing a baby away from its birth mother is cruel on both the mother and the child(ren). It leaves life long trauma. Children aren´t pets. You shouldn´t buy and sell them.

[@vkrgfan]

Children living in foster care: USA - 391,098 children Australia - 46000 Canada - approximately 60 000 UK - approximately 60 000 France - 135 000 Let's not forget about them.

[@omowhanre]

How many have you fostered/adopted?

[@plutonicresilience]

Yup but people are mentally attached to having their own blood or controlling genetics regardless of the high price and lengthy wait times.

[@plutonicresilience]

@@omowhanrethey probably also haven’t paid a surrogate. What’s your point (rhetorical question).

[@angelinimartini]

Agreed. So many children are in need of homes. My partner and I plan on adopting older kids when we are more stable. We may have one of our own at some point but I’m also getting older so we may just fill our lives helping our kids who need love.

[@truth-uncensored2426]

Today many people don't even want to have a kid from their own blood, much less do adopt.

[@nunyabiz12345]

I couldnt imagine only making 30k after 9 months of agony. Yall can have that, respectfully.

[@briellebardot5252]

Literally ordering custom producing selling and buying babies.

[@eliannahankin2971]

It’s really scared. I’m worried for those babies. Three is a reason skin to skin is so important right after birth

[@Katiemadonna3]

I didn't have children because I grew up around so much domestic violence and abuse, I could not find an emotionally mature and healthy man to marry and have a family.

[@sarahlevine776]

I feel like talking to kids about their history and their family history helps with bonding in general. At least, I feel a little closer to my family by knowing some of it.

[@slowlygo261]

this surrogacy is legal but prostitution is illegal? what's the philosophical rationale for this?

[@superfluous5162]

Very true.

[@thepinkestpigglet7529]

One was spreads disease and unwanted children the other is less legal and more too new a concept for every jurisdiction to have a law about it

[@moniqueclarke-w2747]

The surrogacy in poorer countries are driven by foreign demands, as the so called parents to be do you not want to ensure that the human carrying your baby is being paid and is getting looked after. Shows what type of shellfish individuals they are to not want to be faced with the reality of their decisions. Praying on the poor for no care in the world to their wellbeing during or after is mind blowing

[@superfluous5162]

But how do you ensure that if the country doesn't want to be regulated or banned , I mean it requires very tuff regulations and discussion which is very difficult in these countries due to various reasons .

[@josephinenilsson1541]

Right?! It makes me almost ill with disgust. The fact that the exploitation is done for them to have a child, that they supposedly want to love and care for, just makes it even worse.

[@ledererova]

Well, I know of worst jobs. For a single mum with bunch of kids that cant have a full time job is an ideal work. I am sure the future parents will make sure the surrogate mother is getting proper health care.

[@DezaRay24]

When will society start listening to us adoptees that have been commodified for others gain?

[@withelisa]

Amen. Far too much attention on adoptive parents, far too little attention on outcomes for adoptees. Infertile people are not entitled to buy children just because they have the cash. Drives me insane.

[@PirateOfTheNorth]

It’s sad women become baby factories out of necessity.

[@mariarotaru2069]

I don’t understand why people can’t adopt instead. There are so many children in need of a family.

[@laptopproject7978]

They are narcissists who only care about passing on THEIR own genes and having THEIR biological children. Especially g*y m*les, biggest narcissists on earth

[@j.j7380]

@@laptopproject7978exactly. Pure selfishness.

[@aikoysabelle]

try to adopt first to understood others why they didnt choosed to adopt others child😊

[@phoeneoware2644]

These options are not interchangeable. The desire to have a biological child and the desire to have an adopted child are two completely different things. You just don't swap one for another.

[@douchebagpatrol7237]

I aint adopting a child that's not mine. That's like telling me to marry a single mum.

[@dylreesYT]

What about if the surrogate doesn't wish to be known? Genuinely interested in what the conversation becomes if we consider the kids and surrogate having opposing wishes.

[@KevTheImpaler]

The surrogate needs to be known because she has to sign the consent form for the parental order. She may also have to sign other forms to allow the child to be taken out of the country and to take the nationality of the intended parents. She will probably have to provide evidence of her marital status. It is the biological mother whose identity might be unknown. Sometimes you only see a photograph of her.

[@astrofel5]

Totally unethical with surrogacy, this should be illegal in every country. I am disgusted by this industry.

[@bailey27727]

Hi. I want to be a surrogate for any family member that cannot have children of their own. You do not get to decide for myself and my family what our best interests are. Thank you ❤️

[@prestoncarla81]

I completely agree surrogacy is unethical and immoral

[@yunandarTun-km6ed]

From my point of view, this industry can lead much happiness for various starting families over different kinds of situation. But we can see unforeseen conditions in our life. At that time, they can learn how to manage when they meet challenging things that can harm their family's lives. For my humble example: If they fed up each other, that child is more likely to face unwanted conditions than normal child.

[@stellafagerstedt2256]

Fed up?

[@np100]

This is what is wrong with the whole idea of family. A couple is a family. Children don't make you a family. It just increases the number of people in your family.

[@pgc6290]

.

[@pgc6290]

No i get people having kids for family coz your parents and all die one day but having kids at such an young age / so young is so so dumb. Like you should have / be having kids at like 50 and all.

[@cheetavontiebolt9971]

They are many types of family

[@cheetavontiebolt9971]

Almost everything is an industry

[@cheetavontiebolt9971]

​@@pgc6290better at 50 you have plenty money with right person then at 25 no money and with the wrong person

[@KJSvitko]

Population needs to be in balance with jobs, resources, nature and the environment. Having a bigger population in any country than the country can support makes no sense. Access to food, water, shelter, energy and jobs should guide population levels. The worlds population is still expected to add another billion people to feed, clothe and produce pollution. Humans are crowding out all other species of plants and animals. Education and birth control are key to reducing poverty and hunger. Having a child that you can not provide for yourself is cruel and irresponsible. We need solutions not just sympathy. Endless population growth is not sustainable on a finite planet. Every country needs to "TRY" to be more self sufficient. When there are not enough resources to sustain a population something has to give. Countries need to focus on quality of life for their citizens and not just quantity of life for cheap labor. Why import fossil fuels when wind and solar energy can be produced locally and solar energy can power electric vehicles. We need solutions not just sympathy.

[@dug8377]

Keep this in mind when you get older and there aren’t enough young people to keep the system going when you can’t Work anymore. Nevermind we all know they’ll just bring in foreigner to temporarily fix the problem.

[@j.clements2093]

Actually most of the world except Africa is having a huge population decline. It’s one of the biggest problems we are going to feel and face in the 10-20 years. Several European and Asian countries have incentivized couples to have more children but it’s working. When I become retirement age I will probably have to be rich to get the level healthcare the average senior gets today. I’m just glad my parents won’t be alive to suffer through this.

[@KJSvitko]

Climate change is the biggest problem the world faces today. It will degrade the ecosystem that we need to survive causing food production to drop and and a reduction in population. Humans are the only species that are destroying the very air, land and water resources that we need to survive. Think about that. @@j.clements2093

[@stefanisilva2493]

@@j.clements2093 This is not a real problem. We are 9 billion and counting, people are losing their jobs, houses and prices going higher on those rich countries and yet governments and bilionaires still preach this nomsense bable of "population decline". We NEED population decline, soon most jobs will be automatized and oil will reach its final drops. Elderly are being thrown in care houses anyway, governments just rather increase their own salaries then invest on it.

[@schnee78]

💯

[@marahaquala1686]

You cannot ask the children while they are children wait until they grow up. So they have perspective and possibly can be more honest about it. Because when you're a child, there are adults to please And tell you who you are and what to think and people who might not like your opinion. But after you are an adult for some time, you can possibly get removed from these influences and be honest.

[@eileenhall4918]

Agreed. They have no idea how this has affected them.

[@blair9607]

Now I’ve had a baby , I can understand this would the worse thing to happen to anyone with 1 ounce of a maternal bone in them. I’d rather give all my limbs away ( and I’m a artist for a living) than give my baby away .

[@hell0h0bbit]

After I have a baby, I also understand why some couples with fertility issues are desperate to have a baby of their own. It works both ways so it's a dilemma

[@blair9607]

@@hell0h0bbit oh yes it really is because we couldn’t conceive for 4 years and we were getting ready for IVF and got lucky that it wasn’t needed . Even IVF had me questioning the ethical side . When you get desperate you can make questionable choices . Ultimately though , despite our own desires it’s what is best for children that should be front and centre . I think I’d come to a place of acceptance with my infertility, my husband and I were talking about moving country and making other plans for our life before I fell pregnant. It’s very hard , it’s like grieving every month and no one understands .

[@runningfromabear8354]

We did IVF and donated the embryos we weren't going to use. As a mother, I still love that we're helping another family have children. I'm not a candidate for surrogacy but our embryos were genetically tested and I'm happy to help. I don't think there's anything wrong with my maternal instincts and you're just rude

[@blair9607]

@@runningfromabear8354 ok … you’re rude . And morally bankrupt too and pretty self absorbed because this wasn’t about you .

[@tashialund332]

what your forgetting is you are not the parent of the baby if you are a surrogate - you are just the method for another couple to be a parent. If I could do this for another couple I would, but I have high risk pregnancies.

[@febriarnolie6897]

deep in my heart, i do not care weather these women doing it for financial gain or not, i must pay respect as much as deep salute, they have great heart to use their body to achieve some one else dream, their existences are immeasurable value for others!

[@renatosardinhalopes6073]

So many bots here ffs can't have an actual discussion

[@kenster8270]

Report them one by one!

[@katepanpaya415]

Totally

[@angelinimartini]

@@kenster8270I do it. All the time. They get on my nerves with their little get rich quick schemes.

[@khyeli]

I like kids, but my husband doesn’t. We can’t afford to have our own children due to financial issues. I’d be willing to help “carry” for someone else’s baby, but our situation makes it difficult for me to become a mother.

[@eileenhall4918]

Childbirth is very difficult and surrogacy with the hormones you must inject comes with extra risks. Save your health for when you can have your own baby.

[@DannyK-t9b]

You know, I've been watching TV news for twenty years and reading newspapers for nearly as long and I had absolutely no idea who Klaus Schwab or Larry Fink were! There was silly little me, thinking I was informed! I suppose you media people must really not want me to know what those guys are up to, right?

[@sarayusarayu832]

The math ain’t mathing-$30k for a 40 week gestation period… 😑

[@devilsadvocate7059]

The issue with setting the price too high is OVER-incentivizing women to go into surrogacy. You don’t want the pay to be so high people choose to do it out of necessity or greed. But you also want the compensation to make it worth the risk…tough equation to balance

[@Lizzy1ES]

Easier for everyone! What about the child?

[@courtneypuzzo2502]

30,000 a week for 40 weeks is 750 a week or $18.75 an hour mind you a school teacher works 36 weeks of the year and in Massachusetts averages 65,000 dollars a year which is equal to 45.14 dollars an hour unless you're either tenured or teach Special education or wood/metal/auto shop

[@withelisa]

You based that calculation off of a 40 work week, though. There's no time off of pregnancy; it's a 24/7 job. $750 a week for surrogacy works out to ~$4.46 an hour.

[@etaokha4164]

I cant even breath with both my kids in my life let alone giving away. This women have courage after 9 months. Hmmmm I cant

[@clairekorte6048]

Not her biological child? Maybe that helps her disconnect from it being hers?

[@ShinerzFIN]

Nice bot convo guys, keep going

[@SairaSabir1443AH]

@17:38 the warmth of mother is irreplaceable

[@MM-yz7fz]

Why don't they just adopt instead of having these science experiments 🤢🤮There are so many children already with no homes and no love. With the cost of this you could donate funds to helping homeless children.

[@qri3522]

This may be the first time I've ever heard of diametrically opposite groups agreeing on something, albeit for different reasons. Sounds like a romantic comedy sitcom in the works! He trains with his militia on the weekend with airsoft and paintball guns. She goes to women's marches for womens' issues. They fall in love meeting at a rally against illegal surrogacy. Eventually they have a baby together via safe and fair legal surrogacy. The movie or TV series will be called, "[Please submit your submission in the comments section]"!

[@renatosardinhalopes6073]

Both sides hate a lot of stuff like prostituion, pollution, r4$3 etc. They just have different approaches to both issues

[@blckmb]

Because far right and far left are basically the same fa...sts

[@KevTheImpaler]

I had a son via surrogacy. I am still trying to get him back to Britain. I agree with just about everything Dr Paula Gerber said. It is horrendously expensive. The actual surrogacy was expensive but amazing value, but all the costs of getting him back and getting a parental order really rack up. The surrogate only gets a fraction of the total spent.

[@TheNotoriousCommenter]

Definity not me thinking this was some black market human trafficking type stuff at the start💀

[@renatosardinhalopes6073]

Does sound like it

[@iloname5007]

Bringing up a child is hard and if it is your own genes dors not make it easier. Why to do all this if you can adopt a child. The world is going crazy. When you can select a baby abd see their health...but people go into risks and make a baby in the lab

[@shamikamitchell4848]

Adoptions can cost $50K USD or more.

[@amandahenderson6145]

Adoption is really expensive in western countries. They don't support family otherwise Adoption would be more afford

[@Worldaffairslover]

Who tf is affording this

[@senselessDesires666]

jews

[@khurramkhurshed9427]

Interesting

[@euto8852]

AwfuL!! this is horrible, nobody thinks about the woman or the baby, they are jus mercancy. They are personS! Not things

[@mariemac5347]

These women are wanting to do this, they’re not being made to do it…! Live and let live

[@fantuswitt9063]

Truth

[@zippyustar6350]

Because it’s the only thing they can do to please buyers of a child it’s like being a slow toaster

[@renatosardinhalopes6073]

Tell us you didn't watch the video without telling us you didn't watch the video

[@marianhunt8899]

Most of them just need the money. Sad that bodies have to be sold to earn a living that pays the bills these days.

[@zippyustar6350]

Only women know the horrific feeling of someone using your cavity like a birthing pod for $$$; it will sink in after… it’s not the lotto

[@ksen333]

Thats selling childrent no matter how you dress it up

[@beeee4249]

They say "the gift of life", the liberal society says "is just a clump of cells" 😂

[@pgc6290]

But why do people wanna have kids though.

[@chenilleoneil1289]

Bringing children into this world is the ultimate act of selfishness.

[@SairaSabir1443AH]

@23:00

[@senselessDesires666]

17:36 😤😤😤DEGENERATE CREEP PEDOVORE😵😵😵😵😵😵

[@unclehujuncle343]

What a messed up minds!

[@AC-fy7pm]

Surrogates is an awful thing BUT childlessness when you desperately want a child is also awful.

[@bananasmatter1321]

Just adopt if you want a kid that bad

[@headishome8452]

And forcing women to have a baby isbad, also. So grateful that abortion was legal when I became pregnant while married w/husband using condoms and myself using birth control. I have one child. (In the USA)

[@eliannahankin2971]

You are not entitled to a child, no one is. Children are a gift and not something you have a right to.

[@ABookishBlush]

@@eliannahankin2971specially when people had a chance to have a child, but instead they wasted their youth away, when biology has been primed about having children at a young age, and when they get to a certain age and they finally decide they find that they can’t… and instead of lying in the bed they made, they find that they can exploit others to give them what they want but postponed it because of the poor decisions they made instead of going for what they wanted early on.

[@ashikurrahman-ut4yk]

The island movie is coming true

[@СветланаРудольфовна-э1з]

stop human experiment stop CHAOS Global game the end ⚠️ perjury is a great sin

[@heekyungkim8147]

This is baby selling. Should be banned.

[@Shineynsparkles]

If they are getting paid and consent is signed why we fighting ! But africa is crazy place to do surrogacy … but I do know of African families who went to Africa to do this !

[@hlengiwemasondo2858]

Africa is a continent with different countries. Do you see you are not intelligent ?

[@marcoprolo1488]

EVIL

[@blckmb]

why?

[@JanetLClark]

Oh no.... Heir B'n'B.

[@XOPOIIIO]

These feminists really think that they possess other women's body and can decide for them what they should do with it.

[@sike2567]

​@@Dimitris_Half which side you are?

[@Zzzooooppp]

The economist doesn’t get to call itself classically liberal, what a joke.

[@GreenPartyofMalaysia]

First to lile and comment!

[@marianasalles242]

Part of the end of the world. We need less humans in this🌏

[@chaudhry6769]

😡

[@twizerejulienne2731]

INVEST IN RWANDA PLEASE😊😊

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

👎👎

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

@@Dimitris_Half of course not

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

@@Dimitris_Half what’s yours

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

@@Dimitris_Half not just disliking, commenting

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

@@Dimitris_Half wouldn’t you like to know

[@MicahFoxxMusic]

@@Dimitris_Half why

[@AmalDriss-ge9pn]

Money is an issue that everyone has for a better and luxurious life, Life was hard for me until I started trading cryptocurrency and now am earning $10,000 per week