Patterns of Childlessness: A Comparative Study Across Countries, Genders, Time, and Data Sources

Chaimae Drioui, Université Catholique de Louvain (UCL) - Centre for demographic research
Bruno D. Schoumaker, UCLouvain

Childlessness has become increasingly significant, with recent studies in Europe showing 20-25% of women in recent cohorts remaining childless. This trend aligns with the Second Demographic Transition, characterized by individualism and delayed parenthood. Men exhibit higher childlessness rates than women, particularly in high-income nations and certain Sub-Saharan African countries. Despite existing studies, there is a gap in comprehensive analyses across genders and contexts. This research aims to address this by evaluating data sources and conducting comparative analyses on childlessness. We analyzed childlessness using multiple datasets, including DHS, MICS, and others, creating specific STATA do-files for each. Our study considered temporal trends, gender differences, and regional/subregional classifications for better comparability. Visualization techniques like raincloud plots, scatter plots, and line graphs effectively displayed demographic trends in childlessness. Preliminary findings indicate significant disparities in childlessness rates across different sources and regions. DHS and MICS data show lower rates in African countries, while ESS, WVS, and SHARE report higher variability, especially in Europe. Male childlessness often exceeds female rates, but sources reveal varying discrepancies. Data quality issues may affect some estimates, emphasizing the need for careful interpretation of underutilised data to better understand reproductive behaviors.

Keywords: Fertility, Data and Methods, Comparative methods , Gender Dynamics

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