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Changing landscapes of parenthood: childbearing among same-sex and different-sex couples in the Nordic countries

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Ponkilainen

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

  • Elina Einiö

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

  • Martin Kolk

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

  • Peter Fallesen
  • Fartein A. Torvik
  • Maria L. Andersen
  • Mikko Myrskylä

    (Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany)

Abstract

The Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland were among the first countries to acknowledge same-sex couples' partnership and parenthood rights in their legislations. In this comparative paper, we explore trends over time in the share of female same-sex and different-sex couples that have children following their legal union and variation by socioeconomic status. Using harmonized register data, we assess couples' likelihood of having a child over time, with a focus on education and income. We find strong increases in female couples' likelihood of having a child, resulting in sharply increasing prevalence, approaching near parity with different-sex couples in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway around 2010. Finland diverges from the other countries in terms of its later and less steep increase. Higher education is associated with a higher likelihood of having a child, whereas we find a less clear gradient by income level. We suggest that legal changes have made same-sex parenthood more achievable in the Nordic countries, that these legal changes are concurrent with an increase in parenthood, and that female couples today are nearly as likely to have children following a legal union as different-sex couples.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Ponkilainen & Elina Einiö & Martin Kolk & Peter Fallesen & Fartein A. Torvik & Maria L. Andersen & Mikko Myrskylä, 2025. "Changing landscapes of parenthood: childbearing among same-sex and different-sex couples in the Nordic countries," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2025-023, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:wpaper:wp-2025-023
    DOI: 10.4054/MPIDR-WP-2025-023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ron Lesthaeghe, 2010. "The Unfolding Story of the Second Demographic Transition," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 36(2), pages 211-251, June.
    2. Robert Andersen & Tina Fetner, 2008. "Economic Inequality and Intolerance: Attitudes toward Homosexuality in 35 Democracies," American Journal of Political Science, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 52(4), pages 942-958, October.
    3. Gunnar Andersson & Trude Lappegård & Lisbeth B. Knudsen & Andres Vikat & Kathrin Teschner & Gerda Neyer & Marit Rønsen & Kari Skrede, 2009. "Cohort fertility patterns in the Nordic countries," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 20(14), pages 313-352.
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    JEL classification:

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

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