Fertility Intention in Hong Kong: Declining Trend and Associated Factors

Mengtong Chen (), Camilla Kin Ming Lo (), Qiqi Chen (), Ko Ling Chan () and Patrick Ip ()
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Mengtong Chen: The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Camilla Kin Ming Lo: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Qiqi Chen: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Ko Ling Chan: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Patrick Ip: The University of Hong Kong

Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2024, vol. 19, issue 3, No 20, 1309-1335

Abstract: Abstract Hong Kong is characterized by extremely low fertility, with a total fertility rate of 0.701 in 2022. This paper reports significant declines in the intention to have children among non-parents and in the desire to have more children among parents, based on data from the Family Surveys conducted in Hong Kong in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017, which imply more dramatic demographic changes in the future. Drawing on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this paper explored individuals’ attitudes toward marriage and having children, family functioning variables indicating subjective norms regarding fertility, and housing status and parenting stress relating to individuals’ control over fertility behavior. The results show that among non-parent respondents, being older and possessing a secondary education were associated with a lower level of fertility intention, whereas being a tenant, having positive attitudes toward marriage and having children, and having higher levels of family mutuality and harmony were associated with a higher level of fertility intention. Among parent respondents, parenting stress significantly inhibited the desire to have more children, regardless of financial matters and family environment. The findings suggest that fertility intentions can be remade over the life course. This paper, based on the TPB framework, can help guide the development and adoption of policies and supportive programs to improve fertility intentions in Hong Kong.

Keywords: Fertility Intention; Family Survey; First Childbirth; Subsequent Childbirth; Parenting Stress; Family Functioning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11482-024-10292-2

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