Beyond the Usual Suspects: The Relative Importance of Reproductive Rights in Shaping Fertility Intentions in Poland | Anna Kurowska (University of Warsaw)

07 October 2026 | 12:00 — 13:00

Hybrid/Mixed

FBK-IRVAPP is pleased to invite you to the following seminar: Beyond the Usual Suspects: The Relative Importance of Reproductive Rights in Shaping Fertility Intentions in Poland.

With the participation of Anna Kurowska (University of Warsaw)

Abstract

While previous research has extensively examined the role of economic insecurity, housing conditions, childcare provision, and gender inequality in shaping fertility behaviour, considerably less attention has been devoted to the role of reproductive rights. This gap has become particularly salient in countries where access to abortion has recently been restricted despite persistently very low fertility rates. Poland constitutes a critical case in this regard, combining one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe with a substantial tightening of abortion law in 2020. This study shows the relative importance of reproductive rights compared with other contextual determinants of fertility intentions among young adults in Poland. Specifically, it examines how access to abortion in cases of severe fetal abnormalities shapes first- and second-birth intentions relative to five other contextual dimensions frequently discussed in demographic and social policy research: the availability of stable and gainful employment, opportunities to purchase a dwelling, access to affordable childcare, the overall level of men’s involvement in domestic work and care, and climate change prospects.The presentation will address the following research question: To what extent do reproductive rights shape fertility intentions relative to more established economic, institutional, cultural, and environmental determinants, and how do these relationships differ by gender and parenthood status? The analysis draws on an original factorial survey experiment conducted in Poland in 2024 on a quota-based sample of 1,337 respondents aged 20 -35. Respondents evaluated hypothetical future scenarios varying systematically across six contextual dimensions related to fertility decision-making. The study adopts a single-profile conjoint design, enabling the simultaneous estimation and comparison of the relative effects of multiple macro-contextual factors on childbearing intentions.

The seminar is held in English.

Speakers

Anna Kurowska - Guest Speaker

Anna Kurowska, PhD, is an Associate Professor at the University of Warsaw and Chair of the Department of Research Methods in Politics and Policy at the Faculty of Political Science and International Studies. She also serves as Vice Chair of LabFam – the Interdisciplinary Centre for Labour Market and Family Dynamics. She has extensive experience in leading and participating in competitively funded national and international research projects. She has served as Principal Investigator of several projects funded by the National Science Centre Poland (NCN) and the Foundation for Polish Science, including projects on fathers’ parental leave, work–family reconciliation policies, the division of paid and unpaid work, and labour-market and fertility outcomes. She has also participated in major EU-funded research consortia, including LIVEWHAT (FP7), TRANSSOL (Horizon 2020) and rEUsilience (Horizon Europe).

Registration

Registration to this event is mandatory.

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