New trends in reproductive behaviour[Новые Тенденции В Репродуктивном Поведении Населения]

To develop an effective demographic and family policy, one has to understand the reproductive behavior features and attitudes of the younger generations. These features largely determine the current and future fertility levels. Firstly, this study aims to analyze the prospects of childlessness in Russia. Secondly, we analyze mating and reproductive behavior as well as the reproductive attitudes of the generation born in the 1990s. We reviewed Russian and foreign literature in the field of mating and reproductive behavior, analyzed statistical data and findings of the representative surveys “Person, Family, Society” (2020), “Generations and Gender Survey” (2011) performed by the RANEPA Institute for Social Analysis and Forecasting. The analysis of the childlessness prospects demonstrates that in many countries, including Russia, a growing number of families choose to be child-free. The reasons for this child-free attitude are numerous. To a large extent, reproductive intentions are determined by the economic stability. To some people, staying child-free is a life strategy; others remain childless because of the lacking access to assisted reproductive technologies or delaying childbirth. The 1990s' generation demonstrates matrimonial and reproductive behavior diversity. Older models of relatively early marriage and childbirth in some social groups coexist with late childbirth and voluntary child-free attitudes in others. The generation has different values when compared to previous ones, including greater tolerance for childlessness. The external factors that affected the development of the 1990s generation can't be called fortunate, and fertility rates will likely remain low in the short run. Fertility support among the 1990s generation would likely require new population policy measures.