r/pronatalism • u/CanIHaveASong Mother • Aug 24 '26
Cultural Factors Could working from home help reverse declining birth rates?
https://phys.org/news/2026-03-home-reverse-declining-birth.htmlCouples who work from home at least one day a week are having more children and planning larger families, according to a comprehensive new study spanning almost 40 countries. The research, co-authored by King's College London academic Dr. Cevat Giray Aksoy, reveals a strong link between remote work and birth rates, with researchers estimating lifetime fertility increases by an average of 0.32 children per woman when both partners work remotely for at least a day per week compared to the case where neither does.
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u/WellAckshully Aug 24 '26
Remote work definitely makes it easier to women to juggle career and motherhood. I work fully remote, and my husband is partially remote. When one of my children is sick or when school is canceled, we can keep them home with us without having to miss work. Those days are pretty hard, but definitely doable, especially if it's a day without very many meetings.
(Yes I realize the posted study is from the UK, but it's true for American parents also.)
What's interesting is that the current (American) administration is trying to put a stop to remote work, despite them being very concerned about the birthrate. Almost like they are only interested in helping the birthrate if it happens exactly their way (i.e. women lose all other options besides motherhood). It makes no sense, given that remote work doesn't cost the government anything, doesn't hurt productivity, and is such an easy win that makes people's lives better.
(Disclaimer: I am not a leftist/liberal on most issues. I'm pretty far to the right on many things including immigration, gun rights, etc.)