The report “Explaining Fertility Intentions in the Republic of Moldova” (2022), authored by Khatia Nadaraia, examines the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing fertility intentions in Moldova, using data from the 2020 Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). The analysis highlights key drivers such as economic stability, flexible work arrangements, and gender-egalitarian household dynamics. Findings show that economic resources, relationship satisfaction, and modern childcare support systems positively influence fertility intentions, particularly among younger women. The report emphasizes policy recommendations like promoting economic empowerment, expanding access to flexible work arrangements, encouraging equitable division of household labor, and ensuring universal childcare availability.
Nadaraia, K. (2022). Explaining Fertility Intentions in the Republic of Moldova. GGS Fellowship Programme. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI). Download
The report “Factors Influencing Fertility Across Generations” (2022), authored by Ecaterina Grigoraș, investigates the socio-demographic factors shaping fertility patterns in the Republic of Moldova using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS-II). It highlights the declining fertility rates and the postponement of childbearing due to extended education, career aspirations, and changing social values. The study analyzes generational shifts, the dynamics of reproductive behavior, and the emergence of diverse fertility models. It emphasizes the importance of targeted family policies to address low fertility rates and promote demographic resilience.
Grigoraș, E. (2022). Factors Influencing Fertility Across Generations (in Romanian). Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNFPA, and NIDI. Download
The research note “Why Don’t Eastern Europeans Have More Children?” (2014) by Zsolt Spéder and Balázs Kapitány investigates the low fertility rates in Eastern Europe and examines why individuals often fail to realize their childbearing intentions. Using data from the Generations and Gender Survey, the study highlights the role of rapid economic and institutional changes following the post-communist transition, which have outpaced slower shifts in family values and gender roles. Economic instability, reduced trust in welfare institutions, and structural inequalities disproportionately affect those with lower incomes, leading to a higher likelihood of abandoning or revising childbearing plans.
Spéder, Z., & Kapitány, B. (2014). Why Don’t Eastern Europeans Have More Children? Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 04. Hungarian Demographic Research Institute. Download
The article “Young Adults Question Normative Roles of Men and Women in Society” (2022) by Lin Rouvroye, Olga Grünwald, and Anne Gauthier examines young adults’ perspectives on traditional gender roles across five countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Norway, and Denmark. Utilizing data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) collected between 2017 and 2021, the study focuses on individuals aged 18 to 35. Findings reveal that, despite varying cultural contexts, the majority of young adults in all surveyed countries believe that roles such as obtaining a university education, having a job, and looking after the home and children are equally important for both men and women. Notably, in Belarus and Kazakhstan, about 40% of respondents still view the homemaker role as more important for women. The study highlights a trend towards more egalitarian views among young adults, even in societies with traditionally strong gender-based divisions of labor.
Rouvroye, L., Grünwald, O., & Gauthier, A. (2022). Young Adults Question Normative Roles of Men and Women in Society. Demos: Bulletin on Population and Society, 38(6), 4. Link to article
The report “Targeting Groups of Women to Reduce Unmet Family Planning Need” (2022), authored by Judith C. Koops, examines factors contributing to unmet family planning needs among women in the Republic of Moldova using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS-II). It identifies vulnerable groups, including women in the lowest income quintile, those with low or medium education, and those nearing the end of their childbearing years. The study highlights the role of access to contraceptives, fertility intentions, and socio-economic barriers. Recommendations include targeted policies to improve access to family planning, increase contraceptive use, and address disparities among disadvantaged groups.
Koops, J. C. (2022). Targeting Groups of Women to Reduce Unmet Family Planning Need. Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, UNFPA, and NIDI. Download
The discussion paper “Gender (In)Equality Over the Life Course: Evidence from the Generations & Gender Programme,” edited by Anne H. Gauthier, Irena E. Kotowska, and Daniela Vono de Vilhena, explores gender inequalities across various life domains using data from the Generations and Gender Survey. It examines topics like fertility decisions, the division of unpaid work, sterilization practices, grandparenthood and female employment, and gender inequality in late-life loneliness and depression. The findings emphasize the incomplete nature of the “gender revolution” and the persistence of gender disparities in both private and public spheres, with significant cross-national differences. The report underscores the importance of cross-national data like GGP for understanding and addressing gender inequalities across life courses.
Gauthier, A. H., Kotowska, I. E., & Vono de Vilhena, D. (Eds.). (2018). Gender (In)Equality Over the Life Course: Evidence from the Generations & Gender Programme. Population Europe Discussion Paper No. 10. Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. Download
The research note “Which Gender Equality Matters?” (2013), by Gerda Neyer, Trude Lappegård, and Daniele Vignoli, investigates how three dimensions of gender equality—employment, financial situation, and equity in housework and childcare—affect fertility intentions in Europe. The study, based on data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS), finds that employment stability is a key factor for childless individuals, while parental employment and equitable household responsibilities influence parents’ decisions differently. The findings emphasize the nuanced role of gender equality in shaping childbearing intentions and suggest policies that address employment stability, equitable household responsibilities, and gender norms.
Neyer, G., Lappegård, T., & Vignoli, D. (2013). Which Gender Equality Matters? Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 03. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute. Download
The article “Who decides on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights?” (2024) by Siyang Kong, Lin Rouvroye, and Anne Gauthier examines women’s autonomy in sexual and reproductive health decisions across ten countries using data from the second round of the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS-II). The study focuses on three key areas: decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and healthcare. Findings indicate that while nearly all women can make autonomous decisions about sexual relations and healthcare, decisions about contraceptive use are often made jointly with partners. For instance, in the Netherlands, about 50% of women report making contraceptive decisions jointly with their partners. This pattern of joint decision-making on contraceptive use is observed in several other countries as well. The study highlights the importance of considering both individual and joint decision-making dynamics when assessing women’s autonomy in reproductive health.
Kong, S., Rouvroye, L., & Gauthier, A. (2024). Who decides on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights? Demos: Bulletin on Population and Society, 40(5). Link to article
The article “Young Adults Question Normative Roles of Men and Women in Society” (2022) by Lin Rouvroye, Olga Grünwald, and Anne Gauthier examines young adults’ perspectives on traditional gender roles across five countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Norway, and Denmark. Utilizing data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS) collected between 2017 and 2021, the study focuses on individuals aged 18 to 35. Findings reveal that, despite varying cultural contexts, the majority of young adults in all surveyed countries believe that roles such as obtaining a university education, having a job, and looking after the home and children are equally important for both men and women. Notably, in Belarus and Kazakhstan, about 40% of respondents still view the homemaker role as more important for women. The study highlights a trend towards more egalitarian views among young adults, even in societies with traditionally strong gender-based divisions of labor.
Rouvroye, L., Grünwald, O., & Gauthier, A. (2022). Young Adults Question Normative Roles of Men and Women in Society. Demos: Bulletin on Population and Society, 38(6), 4. Link to article
The policy brief “Becoming an Adult in Europe” (2017) explores the challenges young Europeans face during their transition to adulthood, focusing on independence, employment, and housing. The report emphasizes the importance of a life course perspective, highlighting that transitions to adulthood are influenced by intertwined life events within socio-economic, policy, and cultural contexts. Key recommendations include promoting stable employment, sustainable housing, and cross-sectoral support tailored to national and individual diversity. The brief also underscores the value of longitudinal data, such as the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), for understanding these transitions.
Berrington, A., Billari, F. C., Thévenon, O., & Vono de Vilhena, D. (2017). Becoming an Adult in Europe. Population & Policy Compact, Policy Brief No. 13. Population Europe. Download
The article “Young Adults Don’t Move Far from Their Parents” (2024) by Linde Van Wambeke and Olga Grünwald examines the proximity between young adults and their parents after leaving the parental home. Utilizing data from the Generations and Gender Survey, the study finds that in most surveyed countries, about half of the parents can reach their 18- to 35-year-old children within a 30-minute journey. In the Netherlands, this figure is notably higher, with 75% of parents living less than an hour away from their children. The study highlights that, despite technological advancements facilitating remote communication, physical proximity remains significant in maintaining strong family bonds across various European nations.
Van Wambeke, L., & Grünwald, O. (2024). Young Adults Don’t Move Far from Their Parents. Demos: Bulletin on Population and Society, 40(6), 8. Link to article
The discussion paper “Migrant Families in Europe: Evidence from the Generations & Gender Programme” (2019), edited by Teresa Castro Martin, Judith Koops, and Daniela Vono de Vilhena, examines the lives of migrant families across Europe using data from the Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). It includes studies from countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Estonia, focusing on topics like family formation, social support networks, and intergenerational ties. The findings highlight differences in family behaviors among migrant groups, the role of cultural and economic integration, and challenges related to the well-being of older migrants. The paper emphasizes the value of GGS data for migration research and its potential for policy insights into integration and family dynamics.
Castro Martin, T., Koops, J., & Vono de Vilhena, D. (Eds.). (2019). Migrant Families in Europe: Evidence from the Generations & Gender Programme. Population Europe Discussion Paper No. 11. Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. Download
The publication “Changing Families, Complex Lives: Evidence from the Generations and Gender Programme” explores key demographic and social trends across Europe using data from the Generations and Gender Survey. It addresses topics such as evolving family constellations, gender roles, fertility decisions, and intergenerational relationships. The report highlights cross-national variations in family dynamics, such as cohabitation, re-partnering after divorce, and the impact of grandparental childcare on female labor force participation. It emphasizes the critical role of policy and social support in shaping family trajectories and underscores the importance of longitudinal, cross-national data for understanding these complex patterns.
Generations & Gender Programme. (2013). Changing Families, Complex Lives: Evidence from the Generations and Gender Programme. NIDI. Download
The research note “How Do Generations Support Each Other in an Ageing Society?” (2014) by Tom Emery explores intergenerational relationships using data from the Generations and Gender Survey. It examines key dynamics, including financial transfers (the “Bank of Mum and Dad”), grandparental childcare, and the impact of caregiving on retirement decisions. The findings highlight how intergenerational support shapes social mobility, gender equality, and labor market participation, emphasizing the role of grandparental care in enabling mothers’ workforce re-entry. The study underscores the importance of continued data collection to understand evolving intergenerational dynamics in ageing societies.
Emery, T. (2014). How Do Generations Support Each Other in an Ageing Society? Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 06. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute. Download
The publication “The Life of Poles: From Leaving the Parental Home to Retirement,” edited by Irena E. Kotowska, Anna Matysiak, and Monika Mynarska, presents key findings from the Polish Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). It examines transitions in family life, focusing on topics such as the timing of adulthood milestones, parenthood postponement, attitudes toward gender roles, and the division of childcare and housework. The findings reveal generational shifts, such as delayed parenthood and increased diversity in family trajectories, while highlighting persistent gender inequalities in domestic responsibilities. The report emphasizes the value of longitudinal data for understanding demographic and family changes.
Kotowska, I. E., Matysiak, A., & Mynarska, M. (Eds.). (2016). The Life of Poles: From Leaving the Parental Home to Retirement. Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of Economic Analysis, Institute of Statistics and Demography. Download
The research note “Parents’ Chances of Re-partnering in a European Context” (2013), by Katya Ivanova, Matthijs Kalmijn, and Wilfred Uunk, examines the impact of children on the likelihood of men and women to form new co-residential partnerships after divorce. Using data from the Generations and Gender Survey in five European countries, the study finds that women are generally less likely to re-partner than men, especially when they have co-residential children. The age of the children and custodial arrangements significantly affect re-partnering chances. These findings suggest that children are a key factor in explaining gender disparities in re-partnering behavior, with policy implications for custodial regulations and parental support.
Ivanova, K., Kalmijn, M., & Uunk, W. (2013). Parents’ Chances of Re-partnering in a European Context. Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 02. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute. Download
The research note “Home vs. Paid Work: The Labour Market Intention of Mothers in Europe” (2012) by Anne H. Gauthier examines the employment intentions of mothers across Europe using data from the Generations and Gender Survey. It focuses on two subgroups: stay-at-home mothers and those on maternity or parental leave. The findings reveal significant variations in labor market attachment across countries, influenced by factors such as traditional gender roles, economic development, and family-friendly policies. The study highlights that mothers on leave are more likely to return to work than stay-at-home mothers, emphasizing the need for policies promoting gender equality, affordable childcare, and labor market flexibility to support women’s employment.
Gauthier, A. H. (2012). Home vs. Paid Work: The Labour Market Intention of Mothers in Europe. Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 01. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute. Download
The article “Housing Satisfaction in a European Perspective” (2024) by Inge Hendriks and Jornt Mandemakers explores how satisfied Dutch residents are with their housing compared to other European countries. Using data from the Generations & Gender Survey, it finds that the Dutch rate their housing satisfaction at an average of 7.9 out of 10, which is relatively high in Europe. Older individuals and those living with a partner tend to report higher satisfaction than younger people and singles, a trend observed across other European countries. Despite challenges in the Dutch housing market, particularly for young people and singles, overall housing satisfaction remains high. The study highlights the importance of addressing the needs of groups negatively affected by housing market issues.
Hendriks, I., & Mandemakers, J. (2024). Housing Satisfaction in a European Perspective. Demos: Bulletin on Population and Society, 40(10), 6-7. Link to article
The research note “The GGP in Eastern Europe: Insights into Demographic Change” (2014), by Franziska Sigrist and Tom Emery, explores demographic trends in Eastern Europe using data from the Generations and Gender Survey. Key findings include the role of economic instability in low fertility rates, the challenges faced by women in combining work and childcare, shifts in traditional gender roles, and the importance of intergenerational contact in addressing loneliness among the elderly. The note highlights the region’s rapid socio-economic changes and the need for longitudinal data to inform policy solutions for ageing societies, gender equality, and family dynamics.
Sigrist, F., & Emery, T. (2014). The GGP in Eastern Europe: Insights into Demographic Change. Generations & Gender Programme Research Note No. 05. Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute. Download
The publication “Families in Austria 2009–2013: Descriptive Findings on Partnerships, Fertility Intentions, Childbearing, and Childrearing,” edited by Isabella Buber-Ennser, Norbert Neuwirth, and Maria Rita Testa, presents insights from the Austrian Generations and Gender Survey (GGS). It explores topics such as family size preferences, childbearing intentions, living arrangements, partnership dynamics, and the division of childcare and household tasks. Key findings reveal persistent gaps between ideal and actual family sizes, the influence of education and gender norms on parenting roles, and the stability and transitions in living and partnership arrangements. The longitudinal nature of the GGS provides valuable data for analyzing family and demographic trends over time.
Buber-Ennser, I., Neuwirth, N., & Testa, M. R. (Eds.). (2014). Families in Austria 2009–2013: Descriptive Findings on Partnerships, Fertility Intentions, Childbearing, and Childrearing. Wittgenstein Centre for Demography and Global Human Capital (IIASA, VID/ÖAW, WU). Download
The policy brief “Securing High-Quality Data on Populations” (2019) discusses the importance of three major European research infrastructures—EuroCohort, the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP), and SHARE—in providing high-quality data for evidence-based social policies. The brief highlights their complementary focus on different life stages: EuroCohort on children and adolescents, GGP on young adults and midlife, and SHARE on ageing populations. It emphasizes the application of FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) to improve data quality and comparability. The document also underscores the infrastructures’ collaboration, challenges in securing sustainable funding, and the necessity of linking administrative data to enhance policy relevance.
Emery, T., Pollock, G., & Scherpenzeel, A. (2019). Securing High-Quality Data on Populations. Population Europe Policy Brief No. 23. Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science. Download
