Social policy and fertility behaviours in Northeast China : a factorial survey

Despite recent policy changes, birth rates in northeast China have declined, falling below the replacement level. The ensuing accelerated demographic transition has led to a debate regarding the efficacy of working family support and how it may affect fertility and childrearing decisions. To shed light on this issue, a quasi-experimental survey was conducted in the region to explore the effects of social policies on fertility intentions from three perspectives, including defamilisation, decommodification, and degenderisation policy. The findings suggest that while generous working family support policies are necessary, they are not sufficient to influence fertility behaviour. Instead, socioeconomic conditions, family structures, working conditions, and broader social policies all significantly shape fertility decisions. We recommended that policymakers adopt a more comprehensive approach focusing on institutional complementarity rather than relying solely on family-focused policies. This study highlights the complex nature of fertility intentions in contemporary China and emphasizes the need for a more refined approach to policy reform in this area.