People keep pointing to how "expensive" it is to have kids, however I see rich, well off people having fewer and fewer kids.

I really think deep down the reasons are social and societal. The decline of the family system, religion, and traditional values have all led to this.

Look around. People just don't want kids (no matter the money). They don't like to admit this but they find it burdensome. They want "freedom". At least this is my observation.

I find this to be more common in America than in other western countries.

As one American friend put it: "Americans love their granite counter tops more than they love their children".