Study: Changes in fertility intentions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
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Released: 2021-12-01
This article provides insights into the possible long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on childbearing behaviour in the years to come. Using data from the Canadian Social Survey – COVID-19 and Well-being, it examines whether and how persons aged 15 to 49 years changed their childbearing plans in 2021 due to the pandemic, and whether this differs according to socioeconomic characteristics.
Findings indicate that 19% of persons aged 15 to 49 years wanted to have fewer children than previously planned, or to have a baby later than previously planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In contrast, 4% reported that they now wanted to have more children than previously planned, or to have a baby sooner than previously planned. Planning to have fewer children or delaying childbearing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic was more common among non-parents and among individuals belonging to population groups designated as visible minorities.
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The article "Changes in fertility intentions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic," released today as part of the series StatCan COVID-19: Data to Insights for a Better Canada (45280001), is now available.
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