Fertility Preference among Chinese Currently Married Women: Evidence from 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey

Manrong Chen, SUNY at Albany

This study investigates the most recent fertility preference among Chinese currently married women by using 2004 China Health and Nutrition Survey Adult Dataset. Hierarchical Linear Models were used to examine the random effects of community context and the fixed effects of individual factors on women’s fertility preference. The results show Chinese currently married women’s intention to have another child is very low (11 percent). The average fertility preference varies across communities. At community level, fertility preference is related to regional difference, but not related to family planning policy strictness. At individual level, fertility preference is associated with the number of sons respondents have had, but not related to education, economic situations, or the proximity to parents and parents-in-law. It concludes China's fertility rate will continue to decline and suggests Chinese government pay more attention to sex composition and regional difference.