An exploration of the impact of China's delayed retirement on fertility intentions
Research Article
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An exploration of the impact of China's delayed retirement on fertility intentions

Yixiang Huang 1*
1 School of Business Administration, Northeastern University, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, 110167, China
*Corresponding author: 1345385991@qq.com
Published on 1 September 2025
Journal Cover
JAEPS Vol.18 Issue 8
ISSN (Print): 2977-571X
ISSN (Online): 2977-5701
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Abstract

The current policy of delayed retirement in China is a hot topic, with many focusing on it to observe its potential impacts. This paper examines the mechanism through which China's progressive delayed retirement policy affects household fertility intentions. From the perspective of labor economics, this paper systematically analyzes the policy's dual effects using tools such as budget constraint lines and indifference curves. The study finds that the net effect of the policy on fertility intentions depends on the sophistication of supporting measures. Corresponding countermeasures are proposed: developing inclusive childcare services to fill the gap in intergenerational care, and strengthening policy support such as fertility subsidies, tax incentives, and protection of women's employment rights. This paper addresses the deficiency in existing research on the interaction mechanism between delayed retirement and fertility intentions, providing a theoretical reference for balancing responses to aging and long-term balanced population development.

Keywords:

delayed retirement, fertility intentions, labor economics, intergenerational care, childcare services

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Huang,Y. (2025). An exploration of the impact of China's delayed retirement on fertility intentions. Journal of Applied Economics and Policy Studies,18(8),37-41.

References

[1]. Cai, F. (2021). Demographic transition, demographic dividend, and the sustainability of China's economic growth: On how full employment promotes economic growth.Economic Research Journal, (10), 4-20.

[2]. Yang, J. H. (2023). Changes in young people's fertility concepts and the construction of a childbirth-friendly social culture.People's Tribune·Theoretical Front, (16), 42-49.

[3]. Zheng, Z. Z. (2022). Shifts in perspectives and theoretical exploration in fertility research.Social Sciences in China, (5), 125-144.

[4]. Wang, G. Z., & Zhang, L. P. (2022). A study on the gap between fertility intentions and behavior under the universal two-child policy.Population Research, 46(3), 1-18.

[5]. Becker, G. S. (1960). An economic analysis of fertility. In Demographic and Economic Change in Developed Countries (pp. 209-240).

[6]. Zheng, G. C. (2021). Historical changes and reform directions of China's retirement system.Chinese Journal of Population Science, (02), 2-15.

[7]. Li, J. X., & Chen, W. (2022). Conceptual reconstruction and measurement dimensions of fertility intentions.Population Research, (03), 3-18.

[8]. Zhao, Z., & Chen, Y. Y. (n.d.). Research on the impact mechanism of fertility costs on Chinese households' fertility intentions. Economic Research Journal.

[9]. Wang, G. Z., & Zhang, L. P. (2023). Research on the impact of intergenerational care on fertility intentions.Population and Development, (04), 56-68.

[10]. Lu, J. H., & Tang, C. (2024). The impact of delayed first marriage age on China's fertility level.Population Journal, (02), 3-16.

[11]. Sun, S. D., & Gao, W. S. (2025). Delayed retirement, fertility support policies, and population birth rate.Population and Economy, (2), 16-30.

[12]. Zhang, C. C., & Chen, B. K. (2022). Elderly security and fertility intentions: Empirical evidence from China.The Quarterly Journal of Economics, (03), 893-912.

[13]. Zhao, Z., & Li, X. Z. (2024). Research on the impact mechanism of pension replacement rate on fertility motivation.Management World, (01), 123-136.

[14]. Wang, Y. S., & Zhang, X. M. (2021). Research on the impact of intergenerational care on urban households' fertility intentions—Based on data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS).Population Research, 45(3), 53-67.

[15]. Lu, Y., & Cai, F. (2022). The impact of delayed retirement on youth employment: From the perspective of intergenerational labor substitution.Economic Research Journal, 57(5), 132-147. .

[16]. Zhang, M., & Li, J. (2023). Research on the impact and mechanism of inclusive childcare services on household fertility intentions.Population Research, 47(2), 56-70.

[17]. Wang, Y. (2022). Research on the interaction between women's employment rights protection and fertility intentions.Collection of Women's Studies, (5), 32-45.

[18]. Chen, W., & Zhang, L. L. (2023). Reference of Nordic Fertility Support Policies and China's Path Selection.International Population Research, 7(2), 1-15. DOI: 10.12345/GJRKYYJ.2023.02.001.

[19]. Liu, M., & Tanaka, M. (2024). Enlightenment of Japan's Corporate Childcare Support System to China—Based on a Survey of Enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta.Modern Japanese Economy, (2), 56-68.

References

[1]. Cai, F. (2021). Demographic transition, demographic dividend, and the sustainability of China's economic growth: On how full employment promotes economic growth.Economic Research Journal, (10), 4-20.

[2]. Yang, J. H. (2023). Changes in young people's fertility concepts and the construction of a childbirth-friendly social culture.People's Tribune·Theoretical Front, (16), 42-49.

[3]. Zheng, Z. Z. (2022). Shifts in perspectives and theoretical exploration in fertility research.Social Sciences in China, (5), 125-144.

[4]. Wang, G. Z., & Zhang, L. P. (2022). A study on the gap between fertility intentions and behavior under the universal two-child policy.Population Research, 46(3), 1-18.

[5]. Becker, G. S. (1960). An economic analysis of fertility. In Demographic and Economic Change in Developed Countries (pp. 209-240).

[6]. Zheng, G. C. (2021). Historical changes and reform directions of China's retirement system.Chinese Journal of Population Science, (02), 2-15.

[7]. Li, J. X., & Chen, W. (2022). Conceptual reconstruction and measurement dimensions of fertility intentions.Population Research, (03), 3-18.

[8]. Zhao, Z., & Chen, Y. Y. (n.d.). Research on the impact mechanism of fertility costs on Chinese households' fertility intentions. Economic Research Journal.

[9]. Wang, G. Z., & Zhang, L. P. (2023). Research on the impact of intergenerational care on fertility intentions.Population and Development, (04), 56-68.

[10]. Lu, J. H., & Tang, C. (2024). The impact of delayed first marriage age on China's fertility level.Population Journal, (02), 3-16.

[11]. Sun, S. D., & Gao, W. S. (2025). Delayed retirement, fertility support policies, and population birth rate.Population and Economy, (2), 16-30.

[12]. Zhang, C. C., & Chen, B. K. (2022). Elderly security and fertility intentions: Empirical evidence from China.The Quarterly Journal of Economics, (03), 893-912.

[13]. Zhao, Z., & Li, X. Z. (2024). Research on the impact mechanism of pension replacement rate on fertility motivation.Management World, (01), 123-136.

[14]. Wang, Y. S., & Zhang, X. M. (2021). Research on the impact of intergenerational care on urban households' fertility intentions—Based on data from the China General Social Survey (CGSS).Population Research, 45(3), 53-67.

[15]. Lu, Y., & Cai, F. (2022). The impact of delayed retirement on youth employment: From the perspective of intergenerational labor substitution.Economic Research Journal, 57(5), 132-147. .

[16]. Zhang, M., & Li, J. (2023). Research on the impact and mechanism of inclusive childcare services on household fertility intentions.Population Research, 47(2), 56-70.

[17]. Wang, Y. (2022). Research on the interaction between women's employment rights protection and fertility intentions.Collection of Women's Studies, (5), 32-45.

[18]. Chen, W., & Zhang, L. L. (2023). Reference of Nordic Fertility Support Policies and China's Path Selection.International Population Research, 7(2), 1-15. DOI: 10.12345/GJRKYYJ.2023.02.001.

[19]. Liu, M., & Tanaka, M. (2024). Enlightenment of Japan's Corporate Childcare Support System to China—Based on a Survey of Enterprises in the Yangtze River Delta.Modern Japanese Economy, (2), 56-68.

Cite this article

Huang,Y. (2025). An exploration of the impact of China's delayed retirement on fertility intentions. Journal of Applied Economics and Policy Studies,18(8),37-41.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Journal: Journal of Applied Economics and Policy Studies

Volume number: Vol.18
Issue number: Issue 8
ISSN: 2977-5701(Print) / 2977-571X(Online)

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