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Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnancy postponement – evidence from Japan

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2023

Midori Matsushima Open the ORCID record for Midori Matsushima [Opens in a new window] ,
Hiroyuki Yamada ,
Naoki Kondo ,
Yuki Arakawa  and
Takahiro Tabuchi
Midori Matsushima*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Japan
Hiroyuki Yamada
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Keio University, Japan
Naoki Kondo
Affiliation:
Department of Social Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and School of Public Health, Kyoto University, Japan
Yuki Arakawa
Affiliation:
Departments of Health and Social Behavior, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan
Takahiro Tabuchi
Affiliation:
Cancer Control Center, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Japan
*
*Corresponding author. Email: matsushima.midori.gb@u.tsukuba.ac.jp
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Abstract

Japan has faced a decline in fertility since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study aimed to investigate the rate of pregnancy postponement and its contributing factors, with a particular focus on economic- and COVID-19 infection-related indicators. This study used data from 768 observations of married women aged 18 to 50 years with pregnancy intentions. The data were obtained from two rounds of a large web-based survey conducted by the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS) in 2020 and 2021. A generalised estimating equation (GEE) model was employed, as well as Poisson regression models for sub-sample analysis divided by year to estimate the year differential magnitude of the contributing factors’ impacts. Approximately 20% of married women with childbearing intentions postponed their childbearing. The analyses revealed that declining income and anxiety about future household finances were significantly related to delayed childbearing, while fear of COVID-19 and infection rate were not. Additionally, the adverse effects of unfavourable economic conditions were stronger in 2021. Notably, age did not influence the decision of pregnancy postponement. Older women postponed pregnancy just as much as younger women. In conclusion, this study confirmed that the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its related adverse economic conditions, contributed to Japan’s current baby bust. Considering that advanced maternal age is already common in Japan, this decreased fertility may result in the long-term negative consequence of further population decline.

Keywords

pregnancy postponementCOVID-19 pandemiceconomic uncertainty

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Biosocial Science , Volume 55 , Issue 5 , September 2023 , pp. 908 - 920
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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