Fertility differences by housing type: the effect of housing conditions or of selective moves?

Hill Kulu, University of Liverpool
Andres Vikat, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)

This study examines fertility variation across housing types and childbearing patterns following housing changes. While the effect of family changes on housing choices has been studied in detail, little is known about childbearing patterns within various housing types. We use longitudinal register data from Finland and apply hazard regression. First, we observe a significant variation in the fertility levels across housing types – fertility is highest among couples living in single-family houses and lowest among those residing in apartments. Second, our results show elevated fertility levels after couples have changed dwellings, suggesting that much of the fertility variation across housing types is attributed to selective moves. Third, the study reveals a relatively high risk of third birth for couples in single-family houses several years after the move. This suggests that living in spacious housing and in a family-friendly environment for a relatively long time leads to higher fertility.