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Who is the “boss” in planning to have a baby? Fertility and household bargaining in China

Author

Listed:
  • Jie MA

    (Jinhe Center for Economic Research, Xi'an Jiaotong University)

  • Xiaojun YANG

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University)

  • Yxuan FEI

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University)

Abstract

Although fertility is typically regarded as a unitary family decision, a meaningful degree of disagreement in fertility willingness exists within households, especially for having two or more children. As China transitioned from a one-child to multiple-child policy, understanding how such disagreement affects fertility decisions is crucial. Using household data from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamic Survey, we analyze fertility willingness in married couples. We find that over 10% of families disagree on having two or more children. Disagreement negatively impacts plans to have more children: only the husband wanting two children significantly reduces fertility plans compared to mutual agreement, while only the wife wanting two children does not suppress the plan. This is consistent with the wife's veto power in fertility decisions. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that more equal gender role and higher bargaining power contribute to the wife's veto power, offering insights into the mechanism of intra-household fertility decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie MA & Xiaojun YANG & Yxuan FEI, 2025. "Who is the “boss” in planning to have a baby? Fertility and household bargaining in China," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 91(3), pages 487-507, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:91:y:2025:i:3:p:487-507
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2025.2
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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