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How China's "Later, Longer, Fewer" Campaign Extends Life Expectancy: A Study of Intergenerational Support for Elderly Parents

Author

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  • Bansak, Cynthia

    (St. Lawrence University)

  • Dziadula, Eva

    (University of Notre Dame)

  • Wang, Sophie Xuefei

    (Central University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

This study documents increased intergenerational support for elderly parents in China among adults who were exposed to the "Later, Longer, Fewer" (LLF) family planning campaign in the 1970s. Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we identify adults of childbearing age whose fertility was reduced. We find LLF exposure increases the likelihood of wife's parents residing in the same household. As expected in a patrilineal society, the increase in support is realized by the husband's parents through more visits and financial transfers. Supporting our findings of stronger social networks, LLF exposure significantly increases the elderly parent's age at death.

Suggested Citation

  • Bansak, Cynthia & Dziadula, Eva & Wang, Sophie Xuefei, 2024. "How China's "Later, Longer, Fewer" Campaign Extends Life Expectancy: A Study of Intergenerational Support for Elderly Parents," IZA Discussion Papers 16842, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp16842
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility; China; Later; Longer; Fewer campaign; family planning; co-residency; intergenerational transfers; aging population;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H31 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Household
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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