Whether or not couples agree on having children shapes their futures, along with broader population trends. Yet, much of the past research on fertility has looked mainly at women's views, leaving the couple’s perspective unexplored. The assumption was that partners in a relationship share the same views about having children.
A new study by Eleonora Mussino (Stockholm University and Umeå University) and Caroline Uggla (Stockholm University and Södertörn University) questions this assumption by exploring how couples with different migration backgrounds approach family planning in Sweden.
Drawing on data from the 2021 Swedish Generation and Gender Survey, the researchers compared plans to have a baby among three types of couples: native couples, where both partners were born in Sweden; migrant couples, where both partners were born abroad; and native-migrant couples, where one partner is Swedish-born and the other is a migrant. They examined whether partners agreed to have a(nother) child, agreed not to, or disagreed about their plans.
The findings show some striking patterns. Across all groups, most couples agreed not to have a(nother)child—consistent with Sweden’s record-low birth rates. However, the dynamics differed by couple composition: migrant couples were the most in sync about their fertility plans, native couples were in the middle, and native-migrant couples were the most divided.
Gender differences stood out most among native-migrant couples. Men and women in these relationships were more likely to give different answers about their intentions compared to couples from the same background. This suggests that cultural background differences may create additional complexity in fertility decision-making, with partners potentially interpreting or communicating their intentions differently.
One detail is especially revealing: native Swedish women with migrant partners were more likely to agree on having another child than migrant women with native Swedish partners. While purely speculative, this might indicate that Swedish women who choose migrant partners tend to be more family-oriented than the average, while migrant women partnering with Swedish men may have adapted to local Swedish fertility norms about having fewer children.
The study's findings align with broader research showing that native-migrant couples face greater risk of breakups: The greater disagreement on fertility intentions may reflect deeper value differences that put pressure on relationships. This could also work the other way: uncertainty about the future of the relationship might make partners hesitant to plan another child.
As international migration continues and native-migrant unions become more common, examining couple-level dynamics becomes essential for understanding reproductive decision-making. This study is a reminder that assuming partners always think alike can hide important dynamics—particularly for native-migrant couples.