New Research Reveals Rising Income Impact on Family Planning
A recent study from the Netherlands and Bocconi University highlights a significant shift in how salary affects the decision to have children. Research by Daniël van Wijk from the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute and Francesco Billari, Professor of Demography at Bocconi, shows that the impact of income on parenthood has grown markedly over the past 20 years.
Increased Income Correlation with Parenthood
The study, which analysed data from seven countries including the UK, USA, Switzerland, South Korea, Russia, Germany, and Australia, reveals that while economic uncertainty does not appear to have worsened significantly over time, the relationship between income and the decision to start a family has strengthened. Higher income levels are now more closely associated with the choice to have children, reflecting increased costs and changing aspirations regarding child-rearing.
Changing Economic Expectations
Van Wijk and Billari’s research finds that people’s economic conditions and perceptions of financial security play a crucial role in their decision to become parents. Although the cost of raising children has risen, the expectation to achieve a higher income before starting a family has also intensified. This shift is particularly evident among women but is also observed in men.
“In the early 2000s, high-income men were more likely to have a first child compared to their lower-income counterparts. By the end of the 2010s, this disparity had widened significantly, and the influence of high income on parenthood now extends to women,” said Daniël van Wijk. “The rising costs of living and changing norms around child-rearing have led to a greater emphasis on achieving financial stability before starting a family. This trend reflects an increase in ‘intensive parenting,’ where higher investments in children are expected.”
Impact of Economic Inequality on Reproduction
Francesco Billari comments, “Today’s young adults are increasingly waiting to achieve a higher income before starting a family. With stagnant wages in many countries, this delay often leads to fewer children than desired due to biological limits on fertility. The study highlights a growing inequality in access to reproduction, where those with lower incomes are disproportionately affected.”
Future Implications
The findings suggest that economic factors are playing a more significant role in family planning decisions than in the past. As costs and expectations around parenthood continue to evolve, the study calls attention to the widening gap between income levels and reproductive choices.
