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Religion effects on fertility preference: evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Dayuan Xie

    (Department of Economics at University of Oklahoma)

  • Yonghong Zhou

    (Faculty of Finance, City University of Macau)

Abstract

In this study, we use data from the Chinese General Social Survey to investigate the impact of religion on fertility preference in the biggest transitional country. Our results reveal a positive impact of religious faith on fertility preference after controlling for individual, family, and social factors. We show the effects of religion on fertility as follow: (i) robust when considering Chinese cultural background, applying other continuous and discrete regression strategies, and dealing with endogeneity problem; (ii) more significant among Christians and Muslims; (iii) stronger for females in the high-income group; (iv) mainly driven by influences from the institutionalisation of religious faith and the frequency of participation in religious activities. Our findings suggest that religion effects on fertility preference still exist in a non-religion-dominated country such as China.

Suggested Citation

  • Dayuan Xie & Yonghong Zhou, 2022. "Religion effects on fertility preference: evidence from China," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 39(3), pages 341-371, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:joprea:v:39:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s12546-022-09286-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s12546-022-09286-4
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Religion; Fertility; CGSS; One-child policy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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