Is Climate Change Concern Linked to Childfree Intentions? Differences Across Age and Education in Five European Countries

This chapter investigates the potential connection between climate change concerns and the decision to remain childfree, focusing on variations across age and education in five European countries. The analysis reveals that individuals highly concerned about climate change are significantly more likely to intend to remain childless, with this association holding true across different age groups and educational levels. The study employs data from the Gender and Generations Survey (Round II) 2022, focusing on childless individuals aged 18 to 35. It utilizes logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to assess the relationship between climate change concern and childfree intentions, as well as the intended number of children. The findings indicate that climate change worries are associated with an increased likelihood of childfree intentions, with individuals very worried about climate change being 57% more likely to intend to remain childless. However, the analysis also shows that this association does not significantly vary across age and education levels. The chapter further explores cross-country differences, noting that while the association is positive in all countries studied, it is not statistically significant in Norway. The conclusions underscore the need for further research to determine the causal mechanisms and potential long-term demographic implications of this emerging trend. This chapter offers a unique perspective on the interplay between environmental concerns and fertility intentions, providing valuable insights into the potential impact of climate change on future population trends.