In this research our aim was to answer the question how the COVID-19 pandemic affected fertility plans in Hungary. Previous research has highlighted that macro factors such as the political system change of 1989-1990 or the 2008 economic crisis reduced fertility rates in Hungary (Sobotka et al. 2011, Spéder 2021, Szalma – Takács 2022). Our research question is how the COVID-19 pandemic changed fertility plans in Hungary. To answer this question, we conducted semi-structured interviews with forty men and women aged 18-45 having no children or just one child in the fall of 2020.

The results show that the most important direct impact of the pandemic was the burden on the health care system. Besides the absolutely negative effect on the health care system, social distancing had mixed effects on fertility plans. If the mothers were on maternity leave and the fathers worked from home it had a favorable impact, but if the mothers worked in a paid job that had a negative effect on fertility plans, while childless women did not report any effects. Regardless of the pandemic, the financial situation of families had a key role in fertility intentions. However, we also found evidence that additional insecurities, such as the fear of losing one's job, can influence fertility intentions and how individuals judge their future prospects.

Sobotka, T. – Skirbekk, V. – Philipov, D. (2011). Economic Recession and Fertility in the Developed World. Population and Development Review, 37: 267-306. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2011.00411.x

Spéder, Zs. (2021). Termékenységi mintaváltás – a családalapítás átalakulásának demográfiai nyomvonalai Magyarországon. Szociológiai Szemle, 31(2), 4–29.

Szalma I. – Takács J. (2022). Exploring Older Men’s Pathways to Childlessness in Hungary: Did the Change of Policy Regime Matter? Social Inclusion, 10(3) https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v10i3.5248