Trend and Factors of Population Fertility Changes From the Perspective of Economics and Education — China, 1949–2020

WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ON THIS TOPIC?: Diverse social factors such as economic development, policy, culture, and special historical events could affect population fertility directly. At present, the influence of social factors on fertility is still controversial. With the diversification of population characteristics, the cross-group robustness of the classical theories and research conclusions are broken. WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: This research explores the population fertility trajectory of China and its association with economy and education. Although the social fertility shows an opposite trend with the Gross Domestic Product, the economy plays a role in improving the fertility rate. The schooling years per capita inhibits the increase of fertility rate, whereas the proportion of higher education population helps to increase the fertility rate. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: Facing the continuous low fertility rate in the post-demographic transition period in China, promoting economic development and advancing the popularization of higher education would be important paths to create supportive and friendly social and family environments for female fertility, so as to enhance female fertility willingness and level.