Individual-level characteristics of childlessness intentions in Europe

Tomas Sobotka, Vienna Institute of Demography
Maria Rita Testa, Vienna Institute of Demography

This study, based on Population Policy Acceptance Survey (PPAS), conducted between 2000 and 2003, focuses on the childlessness intentions in Belgium (Flanders), Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland. Using logistic regression, we explore characteristics of childless men and women aged 18-39 who intend to remain childless and those who remain uncertain as contrasted to the respondents who intend to have a child. Our analysis combines usual socio-economic variables with selected questions on the attitudes towards childlessness and personal preferences of particular living arrangements. The analysis reveals considerable cross-country variation in the main factors associated with intended childlessness and childlessness uncertainty. Despite this variation, we have repeatedly found a close association between family attitudes and childlessness intentions.