Childlessness in Russia: sociological dimension

Childlessness in Russia is rather a social than medical phenomenon. On the basis of data from the study Parents and children, men and women (2004) the authors consider the relation between the life in a couple (in or out of wedlock) and the presence or absence of children. The share of childless persons is significantly higher among those who have never been in a conjugal union, as compared to those who experienced at least one extramarital relationship or marriage. Among the significant factors are also the age of the first partnership and the age of the first marriage. Impact of marriage on parenting differs depending on gender and education.