Beyond Usual Suspects: Revisiting Barriers to Childbearing Decisions in a Low Fertility Setting

Anna Kurowska (), Anna Matysiak and Magdalena Grabowska
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Anna Kurowska: Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics (LabFam), University of Warsaw
Anna Matysiak: Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics (LabFam), University of Warsaw

No 2025-15, Working Papers from Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Warsaw

Abstract: Fertility rates in developed countries have declined to historically low levels, yet the reasons remain incompletely understood. While economic insecurity, housing affordability, and gender inequality have been central to earlier research, recent attention has shifted to climate change and reproductive rights. This study examines the relative importance of contextual constraints on childbearing intentions among young adults in Poland. Using a factorial survey (N = 1,337), we compare how employment stability, housing affordability, childcare availability, men’s domestic contributions, climate change, and abortion rights shape intentions to have a first or second child. Results confirm the enduring salience of economic security for fertility intentions across gender and parenthood status. Reproductive autonomy is most influential for childless women and important for mothers and partnered men. Childcare and equitable domestic arrangements support women’s intentions but matter less for men. Climate concerns are less influential. Intentions of childless men appear less responsive overall.

Keywords: fertility intentions; factorial survey experiment; economic insecurity; reproductive autonomy; gender equality; childcare availability; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J11 J13 J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 55 pages
Date: 2025
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https://www.wne.uw.edu.pl/download_file/5650/0 First version, 2025 (application/pdf)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:war:wpaper:2025-15

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