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Recent trends in the Chinese family: National estimates from 1990 to 2010

Author

Listed:
  • Jia Yu

    (Peking University)

  • Yu Xie

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

Background: Family in China has experienced drastic changes in the past decades. Yet we have limited knowledge of the trends and patterns of the Chinese family in transition. Objective: This study provides a systematic documentation of the Chinese family in transition by estimating a variety of indicators of marital and fertility behaviors in China, including the singlehood rate, first marriage age, cohabitation rate, divorce rate, and nonmarital childbirth rate. Methods: We analyze data from the 1990, 2000, and 2010 China Censuses, the 2005 1% China Population Inter-Census Surveys, and the 2010‒2016 China Family Panel Studies. Results: The results indicate trends of delays in first marriage age and increases in premarital cohabitation in China. Despite below-replacement fertility, childlessness remains rare among married Chinese couples. In addition, almost all children are born and raised within marriage, with a virtual absence of nonmarital childbearing in China. Although we observe a slight increase in divorce across cohorts, the divorce rate within 10 years in China was much lower than in other East Asian societies. Conclusions: Our research suggests both continuity and changes in marital and childbearing behaviors in China. The trajectory of family changes in China has not followed those in Western countries. Contribution: This article documents the most recent Chinese family changes and provides national estimates of family behaviors in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia Yu & Yu Xie, 2021. "Recent trends in the Chinese family: National estimates from 1990 to 2010," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(25), pages 595-608.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:44:y:2021:i:25
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2021.44.25
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yong Cai, 2013. "China's New Demographic Reality: Learning from the 2010 Census," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 39(3), pages 371-396, September.
    2. William Lavely & Ronald Freedman, 1990. "The Origins of the Chinese Fertility Decline," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 27(3), pages 357-367, August.
    3. Margaret Maurer-Fazio & Rachel Connelly & Lan Chen & Lixin Tang, 2011. "Childcare, Eldercare, and Labor Force Participation of Married Women in Urban China, 1982–2000," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 46(2), pages 261-294.
    4. James M. Raymo & Larry L. Bumpass & Miho Iwasawa, 2004. "Marital Dissolution in Japan," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 11(14), pages 395-420.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Zhongwu Li, 2023. "Does intrahousehold bargaining power enhance women's marital satisfaction? A perspective from two competing forces in China," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(1), pages 476-498, February.
    3. Hyunjoon Park, 2021. "Introduction to the special collection on family changes and inequality in East Asia," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 44(40), pages 979-992.
    4. Wanru Xiong, 2023. "Love is Elsewhere: Internal Migration and Marriage Prospects in China," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 39(1), pages 1-29, December.
    5. Guo, Yuanyuan & Sun, Dayu & Sun, Jianguo, 2022. "Inference of a time-varying coefficient regression model for multivariate panel count data," Journal of Multivariate Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    6. Zhongwu Li & Fengzhi Lu, 2024. "The power of Internet: from the perspective of women’s bargaining power," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    7. Gu, Jiafeng, 2024. "Determinants of public transportation disability among older adults in China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 71-79.
    8. Lijun Yang, 2021. "The role of premarital cohabitation in the timing of first birth in China," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(8), pages 259-290.
    9. Zhongwu Li & Dewei Kong, 2024. "Is one's happiness associated with their spouse's income, and vice versa? Insights from China," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 105(1), pages 81-99, January.
    10. Misun Lee & Kryštof Zeman, 2024. "Childlessness in Korea: Role of education, marriage postponement, and marital childlessness," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 51(21), pages 669-686.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    second demographic transition; China; families; social change; marriage; cohabitation; divorce; childbearing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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