Demographic, Economic, and Motivational Determinants of University Students' Fertility Intention in Sichuan, China
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Background: China faces major demographic shifts due to falling birth rates and an aging population. University students will soon enter marriage and parenthood, yet little is known about their childbearing plans. Objective: This research explores what drives university students' childbearing plans in Sichuan, China, focusing on three domains: demographic background, perceived economic conditions, and motivational attitudes. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 420 students using stratified sampling. Data came from a structured questionnaire. Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: The final regression model accounted for 58.9% of the variation in childbearing intentions. The strongest positive influence was fertility attitude (β= 0.566, p < .001). Among economic variables, expected childrearing cost exerted a consistent negative effect (β= −0.343, p < .001). Female students reported significantly lower intentions than males (β= −1.187, p < .01). Conclusion: University students' childbearing intentions arise from an interplay of demographic, economic, and attitudinal factors. Policies should combine psychological support with relief from financial burdens.
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