Balancing acts : the impact of unequal distribution of caregiving and household responsibilities between women and men and fertility intentions

Abstract

This article focuses on the unequal distribution of caregiving and household responsibilities between women and men and examines their possible impact on fertility intentions. More specifically it looks at the challenges of balancing paid work with family commitments in a country characterised by the Lowest Low Fertility rate (1.08) among all EU states, and high employment rates for both women and men. The study is based on a stratified random sample of 600 individuals aged 18-39 who were surveyed via telephone, with data collection concluded in 2024. The findings reveal that respondents in Malta, on average, aspire to have two children, while men express a slightly lower ideal of 1.86, resulting in an overall average of 1.93. This is higher than the current Total Fertility Rate. Significant challenges in balancing work and childcare responsibilities emerged, with gender disparities disproportionately affecting women and influencing their fertility decisions to some extent. Younger respondents demonstrated heightened sensitivity to these imbalances, underscoring the need for policy interventions to address these gendered gaps.