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

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  • Bansak, Cynthia
  • Dziadula, Eva
  • Wang, Sophie Xuefei

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," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1403, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:glodps:1403
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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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