Reasons for the Formation of Young People’s Fertility Intention under the Three-Child Policy and Measures to Cope with It--Taking Ordos City as an Example

Abstract

In 2020, China’s total fertility rate fell below the international demographic threshold. In 2021, China’s average annual population growth rate fell to 0.53%. To cope with this situation, the three-child policy and its supporting policies were introduced in July 2021 in China. Taking Ordos City as an example, this paper utilizes semi-structured interviews to investigate the fertility intentions of Chinese youth and the reasons for their formation. The study finds that the overall low fertility intentions of young people are mainly influenced by their one-child families of origin, the rising costs of childcare due to elite education, the spread of feminist views on childbearing, and the suppression of childbearing by social media. In addition, most young people are unaware of the three-child policy and its supporting policies. In order to address this problem, this paper presents multiple policy recommendations, such as improving the financial guarantee mechanism for universal preschool education. While increasing the research on fertility intentions in western China, this study provides a reference for improving the three-child policy and its supporting policies aimed at unleashing China’s fertility potential and improve the low fertility level.