Climate Change and Reproductive Intentions in Europe

Abstract

Aim of this paper is to investigate the effects of environmental conditions on human reproductive behavior in the highest industrialized countries. We discuss the hypothesis that individuals fearing for a foreseen unhealthy environment tend to delay or forgo childbearing, thus contributing to a reduced ecological footprint. The empirical analysis is based on the Eurobarometer survey carried out in the 27 EU countries in 2011. Multilevel ordinal regression models on additionally intended number of children are used. A random intercept is considered to take into account the clustering of individuals within countries. Results indicate that people's intended number of children is not very strongly correlated with people's concerns about climate change, but if a statistically significant relation is detected, this is positive: the stronger the concern, the higher the intended number of children. This result suggests that the desire to pass an enjoyable and healthy environment to the future generations does not refrain people to plan large families and that the parents' environmental concern can be instrumental in stimulating parents' responsible behaviours and proper policies at institutional level.

No future, no kids–no kids, no future?

“…As a result of these concerns, most interviewees and some commentators felt selfish for having children. They saw the decision to go childfree as a safeguard against exposing unborn children to environmental risks (De Rose and Testa 2015a). Yet, despite these concerns, some participants believed they may have children, but not more than two; which is consistent with previous findings (Andrijevic and Striessnig 2017;Basten et al 2013).…”

“I don't want a child”: an apolitical argument in climate change trials in Switzerland

“…When using the data collected among college students or people who self-identify as concerned by environmental changes, the research found less positive attitudes toward having children (Arnocky et al , 2012; Davis et al , 2019; Schneider-Mayerson and Leong, 2020; Marks et al , 2021). Differently, studies that mobilize more representative samples do not find a correlation between environmental concerns and reproductive attitudes (De Rose and Testa, 2013).…”

Women's mental health and climate change Part II: Socioeconomic stresses of climate change and eco‐anxiety for women and their children

“…Notwithstanding, another survey of 1000 European individuals of reproductive age found no correlation between environmental concerns and family planning measures 65 . In Nepal, one study indicated higher contraceptive use in relation to environmental degradation 66 and another associating higher pregnancy rates with greater land scarcity 67 . In sub‐Saharan Africa, empirical analysis of demographic health data revealed an association between increased temperature and decreased fertility preferences, but only among women in more rural areas 68 .…”