Fertility trends, sex ratios, and son preference among Han and minority households in rural China

Abstract

This paper presents new insights into contemporary Chinese demography and family life based on survey and interview data from rural households in Yunnan Province, China’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse region. Using both quantitative and qualitative data, we examine fertility trends, sex ratios, and son preferences in our study sample. We analyze differences between the majority Han and various ethnic minority groups that have been subject to less stringent family-planning policies. Our results show an overall fertility decline and a trend toward more balanced sex ratios, both of which are in line with national trends. We find evidence for son preference in the demographic data for both Han and minority households, despite widespread agreement in qualitative interviews rejecting the idea of son preference and emphasizing the value of both sons and daughters. We interpret these findings in light of several important changes in Chinese society, including legal and policy reforms governing marriage and inheritance, a nationwide “Care for Girls” social campaign, and shifting cultural norms about gender roles.