Survey of 5,000 Fathers Finds Most Report Happiness in Childcare but Three in Four Lose Sleep Over Finances

A survey of more than 5,000 fathers found that nine out of ten said caring for children is a deep source of happiness, according to the 2026 State of the World's Fathers report. The same report showed three in four fathers losing sleep over their financial future, a majority feeling home ownership was out of reach, and more than half taking on multiple jobs, changing jobs, or working overtime.

Roughly half of those interviewed had children ages 0-7.

Ajas Ahmed, a 27-year-old private chauffeur in Chennai, stayed at his wife's side for a week after their son Naseer was born in May 2025 following a difficult breech labor that lasted more than ten hours. His employer granted time off, and Ahmed said he made sure he was there for her.

Ahmed had already changed jobs after his now three-year-old daughter was born, leaving ambulance work because the hours were punishing.

He said being a father means more than earning for the family and includes being present when needed most. Dr. Nilay Mahajan, a 36-year-old orthopedic surgeon in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, welcomed daughter Tarini in February 2026.

Between surgeries he drives the five minutes home from the hospital to spend time with her, and he takes time off when his wife, gynecologist Dr. Charu Srivastava, faces emergency cases. Mahajan said fatherhood has made him more empathetic toward his pediatric patients and that he wants to show his daughter through his actions that men and women can be equal partners.

He described himself as the diaper man at night after his wife breastfeeds, burping and rocking the baby to sleep. Manik Sehgal, 44, a consultant at Deloitte in Faridabad, and his wife Manjulika Pramod welcomed son Gunagyaa in January 2026. m.