Religiosity and the realisation of fertility intentions: a comparative study of eight European countries

Abstract

Previous studies have consistently shown that religious persons both intend and have more children than their non-religious peers. However, it is yet unknown whether their higher number of children entirely reflects their higher intentions or whether religious persons also realise their intentions more often than non-religious individuals. By including different geographical regions - four countries from Western Europe and four countries from Central and Eastern Europe - this study focuses on short-term fertility intentions and their realisation over 3 years. Our study, which is mainly informed by the Theory of Planned Behaviour, compares three groups, based on two panel waves from the Generations and Gender Survey (2002-2013 and 2006-2016): Christians who regularly attend church services, nominal Christians, and non-affiliated persons. The results confirm that practising Christians generally intend and have more children than nominal Christians and non-affiliated persons. Effects are much stronger in Western than in Central and Eastern Europe. However, we find only weak significant differences in realising childbearing intentions by religiosity. This is in line with the theoretical assumption that obstacles to childbearing are already considered in the formation of fertility intentions.