Daun Kim1 ․ Chong-Sup Kim2

Received: 25 September 2023 / Accepted: 1 November 2023 /
Published online: 1 December 2023 Ⓒ Korean Social Science Research Council 2023

Abstract Numerous studies have extensively examined the correlation between parenthood
and individual happiness. However, the reciprocal relationship, wherein happiness influences a
country’s fertility, has received little attention. This paper empirically tests whether countries
with higher happiness levels exhibit correspondingly higher fertility rates in over 130 countries
from 2005 to 2019 while controlling for the potential mediating factors such as income,
education, etc. Through empirical analysis, this paper concludes that happiness is positively
associated with fertility rates. Interestingly, when countries are stratified based on income
levels, the relationship is not statistically significant for low-income and lower-middle-income
countries but significant and positive for upper-income and high-income countries.
Keywords Fertility․Happiness․Income․Subjective well-being

7.Daun-Kim-Chong-Sup-Kim.pdf