Policies of pro-natalism and Chinese women: Bibliometric analysis of publications in WoS, 2013-2025

Tomsk State University Journal of Philosophy, Sociology and Political Science. 2025. No. 86. P. 116–127.

Fu L.

China has shifted from the one-child policy to the two- and three-child policies to cope with the low fertility rate and the aging of the population, but the fertility rate continues to be declining. The aim of this research is to answer the question: What paradoxes do Chinese women face under these pro-natalist policies? Through the bibliometric analysis of 33 WoS academic publications between 2013 and 2025, this research systematically combed the lack of academic discussion on Chinese policies of pro-natalism. Further, the research summarised four main research focus clusters: (1) economic constraints, including high parenting costs and motherhood penalties in the labour market; (2) social and cultural pressures, such as persistent boy preferences and the impact of population mobility; (3) family dynamics, focusing on the family division of labour and the role of intergenerational support; (4) institutional legacy issues, exploring the far-reaching impact of the one-child policy and the inadequacy of public child care and medical services. Such previous research together revealed controversial pro-natalist policies. Although the state encourages more births, existing structural barriers systematically disadvantage women. This research synthesises the existing knowledge in this field and points out the key directions for future policy formulation and academic inquiry.

Keywords: рождаемость, Китай, China, birth rate, women, женщины, two-child policy, three-child policy, политика в отношении двух детей, политика в отношении трех детей

Publication based on the results of: The diversity of forms, effects and barriers to integration of modern Russian society in synchronic and diachronic dimensions (2025)