Economic Uncertainties and Their Impact on Childbearing and Childrearing Attitudes in China: A Multinomial Analysis

Social uncertainty has become the focus of many recent fertility studies. Economic uncertainties, which are embedded in and shaping people’s forecasts of the future, are also creating variations in people’s ideas about and plans for childbearing. This study’s objective was to examine the perceptions of economic uncertainties among young people in China and the influence these had on the value attached to the experience of having children. For this, a national sample of young individuals aged 17 to 33 were recruited online through the Credamo platform. Demographic and individual economic factors were controlled, and multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse the association between economic uncertainties and young people’s family beliefs and childbearing intentions. The study found a clear association between economic uncertainties and the necessity and planning for having children. More optimistic estimates of the future economy and labour market led to more favourable views of childbearing and childrearing, as well as more possibilities in childbearing plans. The findings also highlighted the influence of other demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, such as sex, marital status, and house ownership. The respondents’ expectations of an uncertain future shaped their decisions regarding life events, including future fertility. Thus, assisting young people in gaining a sense of security in the face of social uncertainty is critical in future government policy plans if a fertility rebound in China is to be achieved.