Aassve, A., Mencarini, L., Peng, C., Plach, S., Román Amarales, A., Tanturri, M.
Fertility rates are declining across much of the globe, but the causes of this decline are increasingly complex. While economic and gender-related explanations have long dominated fertility research, emerging global uncertainties—such as climate change, democratic backsliding, economic crises, and regional conflicts—may also shape reproductive decision-making. This cross-national study examines how macro-level uncertainties influence fertility intentions in Italy, Argentina, the United States, and Germany. These countries offer distinct fertility trajectories and face unique combinations of socio-political and environmental challenges. Building on theories of the "risk society" and "liquid modernity," the study combines survey data with a factorial experiment to assess how both stated concerns and revealed preferences inform reproductive choices. By comparing the relative weight of economic, environmental, and political uncertainties alongside family-level factors, this study contributes to a broader understanding of how individuals navigate fertility decisions in an increasingly unstable world.
ALONSO ROMÁN AMARALES
PUBLICATIONS | CV | LINKEDIN | EMAIL