🪤 When animals in captivity grow aware of their confinement, they begin displaying abnormal behaviors — irrational movements, psychological ailments, and hormonal imbalances. This phenomenon is called zoochosis, defined as “stereotypic activities in animals [that] are tiresome in conduct, consistent in practice, with no seeming goal or definite purpose,” according to a 2022 study (pdf) published in the Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity. A striking symptom of zoochosis is a decreased desire to reproduce and raise offspring in captivity. Simply put, zoochotic animals reproduce less due to intense stress.

This observation has sparked a viral theory across social media platforms, particularly TikTok: humans might be suffering from a similar psychosis, having subconsciously found ourselves in captivity of a different nature — one that could explain declining global birth rates.

“Modern humans are immersed in a built world that in no way resembles the Pleistocenenic ecology of our species emergence,” ecopsychologist Vaughan Wilkins told Psychology Today in 2021. “It appears that we have captivated ourselves.” Wilkins argues that humans have placed themselves in a metaphorical cage governed by customs and ideals that don’t cater to our wellbeing.

The parallels extend to how zoochosis is managed. Animals suffering from captivity-induced behaviors are offered distractions and temporary environmental changes: shiny new toys, new dietary offerings, aesthetic improvements to their confinements. Sound familiar? The Labubu, Dubai chocolate, and matcha latte trends might serve as our version of these small distractions — small luxury purchases that provide comfort and control, offering a feeling of freedom in an otherwise repetitive and restrained social cycle.

The impact of our perceived captivity goes far beyond collectible territory. Human stress doesn’t stem from physical confinement, but from psychological pressures: job dissatisfaction, feelings of hopelessness amid global economic turmoil, and overwhelming worry about the future. According to the UN 2025 State of the World Population report, some 39% of individuals surveyed across 14 countries stated that financial limitations directly impact their ability to “realize their desired family size.”

One in five respondents noted fears about the future — including climate change, environmental degradation, wars, and pandemics — led to having fewer children than initially desired, with one in four unable to have children at their preferred time. “I also would not like to give birth to a child in war times and worsened planetary conditions, if that means the baby would suffer because of it,” one participant said. “A lot of policies worldwide are against women’s healthcare. I feel that this pushes us to stay single and have no children,” another added.

Although Egypt was not among the 14 participating countries, the study nevertheless indicates that while the country has made strides toward maternal healthcare access, its “deeply engrained” history of gender inequality poses a barrier to female agency, impacting parental aspirations, whereas economic anxiety delays the decision — and ability — to marry and conceive.

Global fertility rates are at historically low levels, according to a study published by the IMF. Rates currently stand at 2.24, dropping dangerously close to the 2.1 benchmark for long-term global population stability and signaling eventual population decline. Here’s the paradox: while birth rates decline due to economic anxiety, a declining birth rate might further damage the economy. Conversely, a decreased population growth could ease pressure on natural resources and alleviate climate concerns at the same time.

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