Union formation and childbearing among Chinese youth: Trends and socioeconomic differentials

Driven by economic development, ideational changes and family planning policies, the Chinese has experienced significant change over past several decades. Based on data from 2018 wave of China Family Panel Studies, this study analyzes China’s younger generations’ union formation childbearing behaviors. The results show that although average age entry into a first marriage continues to rise, young people generally express desire enter value creation family. As premarital cohabitation became more prevalent, its determinants “second demographic transition” model “pattern disadvantage” model. differences between cohabitors non-cohabitors in conception, childbirth divorce diminished recent cohorts. findings suggest for women remains relatively early. implementation “universal two-child policy” 2015 also encouraged women’s childbearing. Among those born 1980s, almost half have already given birth second child. ideal number children declined across cohorts China, especially individuals with higher educational level urban hukou. In summary, among youth imply will be facing further rise decline fertility rate. However, voluntary singlehood remain rare, still importance