Religion and Desire for Additional Children in a Son-preference and Low Fertility Society: Evidence From Vietnam
Abstract Background: The association between religion and desire for additional children has remained controversial and varies depending on the social context of the study. This study empirically investigates the relationship between religion and desire for additional children in Vietnam, a society characterized by son preference and low fertility. Methods: Using nationally representative data from the 2014 Vietnam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, the study employs Probit regression analysis to investigate the relationship between religion and desire for additional children among women of reproductive age (15-49). The sample consists of 5,585 women across all six economic regions. Results: Religion has a strong impact on the desire to have an additional child, and the relationship differs across economic regions. In three out of six regions, Christians have higher fertility desire compared to non-religious people. Fertility desire of Buddhists differs from fertility desire of non-religious people in two out of six regions, namely Northern Midlands and Mekong River. Fertility desire of those belonging to other religions is different from that of non-religious people only in Mekong River. Conclusions: Identifying the impact of religion on desire for additional children can help promote appropriate family planning policies. The study also demonstrates that son preference exists in all regions of Vietnam, with the level increasing from the South, towards the Central and peaks in the North, especially in the regions bordering China.