Spousal Contributions and Women’s Fertility–Employment Dynamics in China: A Multi-State Model Analysis

Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) from 2010 to 2020, this study examines how spousal contributions to household income and domestic labor influence the fertility and employment dynamics of Chinese women. Applying Multi-State Models (MSMs), we analyze transitions between employment and childbearing states to evaluate the applicability of Gender Equity Theory in China. Results show significant heterogeneity in the effects of household labor division on women’s fertility and employment stability. In economically equal households, increased husband’s domestic labor contribution is linked to lower fertility rates among employed women. Conversely, in female-breadwinner households, employed women are more likely to leave the workforce to focus on childbearing. These findings highlight the “work–fertility” conflict in China, challenging Gender Equity Theory predictions. Future research should explore the interplay between public and private spheres and its impact on fertility behavior within the gender equality framework.