Differential Characteristics Influencing the Individual's Fertility Plan

The purpose of this paper is to examine the individual's fertility plan and associated factors of it. It also attempts to see whether or not fertility plan is different by region. By using 2012 National Survey of Marriage and Fertility data, this paper confirms that female's age, age at marriage, and number of children influence the individual's planning to have an additional child. Women's employment or gender equity itself is not significantly related with fertility plan. However, the interaction effect is observed, indicating that those who have double burden tend not to plan for an additional child. Son preference is still maintained and affects the individual's fertility plan. Those who live in Jeolla and Kangwon/Jeju areas tend to plan for having additional children. Various circumstances, such as demographic, economic, institutional, childrearing environment, and culture in each region may be able to explain regional variations.