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A global perspective on happiness and fertility
Rachel Margolis1, Mikko Myrskylä
1University of Pennsylvania.
Population and Development Review
|July 1, 2011
Summary
Globally, more children initially decrease happiness, but this effect reverses after age 40. Children represent a long-term investment in well-being, influenced by life stage and societal support.
Area of Science:
- Demography
- Sociology
- Psychology
Background:
- Comparative analysis of fertility and happiness is under-researched.
- Existing studies often overlook global variations and contextual factors.
Observation:
- Data from 86 countries via World Values Surveys were analyzed.
- The study examined the relationship between the number of children and self-reported happiness.
Findings:
- Globally, happiness tends to decrease with an increasing number of children.
- This association shifts from negative to neutral and then positive after age 40.
- The fertility-happiness link is moderated by individual factors and societal contexts, particularly intergenerational transfers and welfare regimes.
Implications:
- Children can be viewed as a long-term investment in well-being.
- Life-cycle stage and national policies significantly shape the fertility-happiness relationship.
- Understanding these dynamics is crucial for family policy and well-being research.
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