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A Global Perspective on Happiness and Fertility

Bibliographic Data

ID4121952
AuthorsR Margolis (0000-0002-3331-591X, California University of Pennsylvania), Mikko Myrskylä (0000-0003-4995-027X, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research)
Year2011
Volume37
Issue1
Pages29-56
Publication date2011-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePopulation and Development Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0098-7921 • E-ISSN: 1728-4457
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00389.x
PMID21714198
OpenAlexW2135109840
LanguageEN
Citations received110
References cited53

The literature on fertility and happiness has neglected comparative analysis. we investigate the fertility/happiness association using data from the world values Surveys for 86 countries. we fnd that, globally, happiness decreases with the number of children. this association, however, is strongly modifed by individual and contextual factors. most importantly, we find that the association between happiness and fertility evolves from negative to neutral to positive above age 40, and is strongest among those who are likely to beneft most from upward intergenerational transfers. in addition, analyses by welfare regime show that the negative fertility/ happiness association for younger adults is weakest in countries with high public support for families, and the positive association above age 40 is strongest in countries where old-age support depends mostly on the family. overall these results suggest that children are a long-term investment in well-being, and highlight the importance of the life-cycle stage and contextual factors in explaining the happiness/fertility association

Association (psychology) · Demographic economics · Economics · Family planning · Fertility · Happiness · Perspective (graphical) · Population · Sociology · Total fertility rate · Welfare · Demography · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Global Health Care Issues · Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction · Psychology · Social Psychology

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Unique citing works110
Citations per year7,33
Citation span2011 - 2026 (16)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 101
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