Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: The total fertility rate (TFR) in East Asia is declining to ultra-low levels, creating severe demographic challenges, including ageing populations and shrinking workforces. Work-family conflicts significantly influence working women’s fertility decisions. The falling TFR trend can be slowed down by developing effective work-life balance policies. This research aims to explore the preferences of working women in East Asia regarding work-life balance policies and fertility-related options, identify key factors influencing their decisions, and provide evidence-based recommendations for more effective family policies.
METHODS: A cross-sectional Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) was conducted across five regions: Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. Respondents were asked to choose between different policy scenarios involving attributes such as parental leave duration, workplace flexibility, childcare subsidies, and tax benefits. Data were analysed using statistical models to quantify preferences and examine demographic factors.
RESULTS: The mixed logit model showed a significantly better fit than the multinomial logit model. Income level significantly influenced policy preferences, while age and marital status did not. The most prioritised attributes were parental leave duration, maternity pay, workplace support, and financial incentives. Regional heterogeneity was significant (p<0.05), with Japanese and South Korean respondents favouring longer leave durations, while Chinese participants emphasised economic factors. Secondary preferences included child tax allowances, childbirth subsidies, education subsidies, and housing privileges. These patterns reflect distinct regional socioeconomic and cultural contexts.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the policy preferences of working women in East Asia, with parental leave, maternity pay, and financial incentives being most important. Regional differences were evident, with variations in priorities across Japan, South Korea, and China. These findings suggest that policies should be region-specific to effectively address East Asia's demographic challenges.