Social Resources are Associated With Higher Fertility Intentions in Contemporary Finland




Artamonova Alyona, Sorsa Tiia, Berg Venla, Hägglund Anna Erika, Rotkirch Anna

PublisherBundesinstitut für Bevölkerungsforschung

2024

Comparative Population Studies

CPoS

49

April

81

116

1869-8999

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.12765/CPoS-2024-04

https://doi.org/10.12765/CPoS-2024-04

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/387691897



Lower childbearing intentions can stem from a lack of social resources. However, not only actual but also perceived social support might signal that parents and parents-to-be will not be alone after having a child. Using register and GGS-Finland data from 2021-22, we investigate how emotional and instrumental support received from parents and other social network members, as well as a person’s subjective feeling that their social network is sufficient (measured as the absence of loneliness), are associated with fertility intentions. Logistic regression models reveal that receiving instrumental support ‒ especially financial support ‒ from parents and other relatives (but not non-kin) is associated with higher childbearing intentions. Not feeling lonely is also associated with higher childbearing intentions, particularly among individuals aged 26-30 years. Gender and partnership status nuance these associations. We conclude that social resources ‒ indicated by both perceived and received support ‒ shape childbearing intentions for those approaching or in prime childbearing age. The lack of perceived social resources among young adults may contribute to relatively low fertility, even in a high-income country with generous family policies such as Finland.


Last updated on 2025-11-02 at 15:30