Exploring Attitudes Towards Medically Assisted Reproduction in Hungary’s Pronatalist Context

Hungary is a country where politics strongly encourages childbirth through various selective pronatalist family policies, primarily targeting middle-class heteronormative families (Szalma - Sipos 2024). In this context, childbearing is perceived as an expectation, and attitudes towards voluntary childlessness are generally less favourable compared to Western and Northern European countries. To align with these pronatalist goals, the state provides substantial support for couples facing infertility and for single heterosexual women seeking assisted reproductive procedures (Szalma - Sipos 2024). Some right-wing politicians view medically assisted reproduction (MAR) as an effective strategy to promote population growth, reduce immigration, and facilitate the reproduction of "ethnically pure" nations (Korolczuk 2021). For instance, the state covers 100% of the costs for five cycles of MAR, including medications. This study aims to assess how various sociodemographic variables influence attitudes towards MAR in Hungary. Specifically, I will examine whether individuals concerned about population decline and possessing strong national sentiments view medically assisted reproduction more favourably than those who are less concerned and more accepting of voluntary childlessness. Additionally, I will investigate the level of support among different socio-demographic groups for granting access to MAR for single women and lesbian couples. To address these questions, we will rely on a nationwide representative hybrid survey conducted in Hungary in March 2024, with a sample size of 1,500.

Korolczuk, E. (2021) Assisted reproduction: Poland in a comparative perspective. In: Fábián, K.; Johnson J, E.; Lazda, M. (eds) The Routledge Handbook of Gender in Central-Eastern Europe and Eurasia. London: Routledge, p. 483-491.

Szalma, I. – Sipos, A. (2024) A comparative analysis across reproduction policy fields in Hungary. In Zagel, H. (ed.) Reproduction Policy in the Twenty-First Century. Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 119-136.