The Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Fertility Rates of the European Union

Gao, Yuhong

doi:10.2478/acpro-2025-0005

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an economic recession and increased uncertainty, while profoundly changing people’s lifestyle and work habits. The pandemic affects family fertility intentions by raising uncertainty, disrupting daily life, and interrupting contraceptive measures. This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on fertility rates in 17 EU countries. This paper analyzes monthly fertility rate data in the European Union and concludes that the impact of the COVID-19 shock has a significant effect on the short-term fertility rates in EU countries. The effects vary due to different institutional backgrounds in each country but generally exhibit a decrease in fertility rates at the beginning of the pandemic followed by a slow recovery. The study also finds that the pandemic’s impact on fertility rates lacks long-term effects. The future direction of fertility rates in the EU and how to reduce short-term fluctuations in unemployment rates remain issues worthy of further exploration.

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The Influence of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Fertility Rates of the European Union

Abstract

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