The Impact of Subjective Well-Being on the Fertility Intentions of Women of Childbearing Age

Abstract

In recent years, China has faced the severe challenge of low fertility rates and negative population growth, which poses threats to social stability, economic growth, and the pension system. The government places high importance on this issue, as population resources are key to the sustainable development of society. This study focuses on the group of women of childbearing age in China, using data from the 2021 China General Social Survey (CGSS)to explore the impact of subjective well-being on fertility intentions and its underlying mechanisms. The findings indicate that the higher the subjective well-being of women of childbearing age, the more children they intend to have. This relationship varies among women with different income levels. Income level amplifies the relationship between subjective well-being and fertility intentions. Moreover, the three sub-dimensions of subjective well-being—development experience, satisfaction experience, and physical and mental health experience—all have significant positive impacts on the desired number of children. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the impact of subjective well-being on the fertility intentions of women of different ages and marital statuses is markedly different. Based on these findings, developing targeted strategies to enhance the fertility intentions of women of childbearing age can not only help alleviate the urgency of declining fertility rates but also provide practical references for policymakers to promote sustainable economic and social development.