A new survey carried out in 38 countries associated remote work with a rise in birth rates among adults between 20 and 45 years old.
A new international study suggests that remote work may be quietly contributing to the increase in birth rates at a time when fertility is at historically low levels across much of the developed world.
based on survey data from 38 countries and the United States, found that adults ages 20 to 45 who work remotely at least one day a week report higher real birth rates since 2023 and larger planned families compared to those who never work from home. The effect is stronger when both partners in the couple have the flexibility to work remotely.
In the sample of 38 countries, the estimated lifetime fertility was about 0.32 children higher — approximately 14% — among couples in which both partners worked from home at least once a week.
The results also suggest that fertility rates in countries such as Japan, South Korea, France, Germany and Italy could increase between 2% and 5% if remote work levels were equivalent to those seen in the US, UK and Canada.
Fertility rates in many high-income economies have fallen to between 1.5 and 1.8 children per woman, well below the replacement rate of 2.1. In some countries, rates are approaching 1.3, a level at which populations could be halved in two generations. However, research consistently shows that women in the wealthiest nations still aspire to have, on average, slightly more than two children.
Experts say the gap between desired family size and actual family size is driven by economic pressures, higher education, late marriages, high housing costs and so-called “maternity penalty“, in which women’s income and career prospects decrease after having children, says .
Although governments have introduced cash bonuses, tax breaks, and daycare subsidies to encourage births, these pro-birth policies have generally produced only short term increases. The new study suggests that reducing work-family conflict may be more effective.
Work from home eliminates travel timeoffers greater flexibility in taking children to school and medical appointments, and allows parents to better manage work and family responsibilities without reducing work hours.
Policies that support flexible working arrangements, improved digital infrastructures and updated labor regulations can provide a relatively inexpensive way to help families achieve their desired number of children.
