The impact of household structure on fertility: A study in Vietnam

Khoa Nguyen and Tuyen Duong
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Khoa Nguyen: Can Tho University
Tuyen Duong: Soc Trang Seafood Joint Stock Company, Can Tho

Demographic Research, 2026, vol. 54, issue 22, 677-718

Abstract: Background: A declining fertility rate and aging population are major challenges for Vietnam. Methods: This study utilizes panel data from the Vietnam Access to Resources Household Survey, conducted from 2008 to 2016, tracking 1,200 households over nine years. A fixed effects model was employed to control for unobserved factors, such as cultural traditions and fertility motivations, thereby addressing endogeneity issues commonly encountered in previous research. Results: The results indicate that the presence of grandparent(s) in a household has a positive impact on the number of children born (particularly when both grandparents are present), with estimates ranging from 0.0771 (95% CI: 0.0175 to 0.1368) for both grandparents to 0.1373 (95% CI: 0.0824 to 0.1922) overall. This effect is especially prominent in the Central Highlands and the Northern Midlands/Mountainous Area. In contrast, the effect is less pronounced in the Mekong River Delta, likely due to socioeconomic factors and data limitations. Contribution: This study highlights the importance of household structure in shaping fertility behavior and provides policy recommendations to support multigenerational households and promote sustainable fertility rates in Vietnam.

Keywords: fertility behavior; household structure; grandparental support; fixed effects; panel data; Vietnam; aging population; regional disparities; socioeconomic factors; cultural norms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J1 Z0 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:dem:demres:v:54:y:2026:i:22

DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2026.54.22

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