What the study found
The study finds that a higher share of childless households generally has a negative effect on overall household utility. It also finds that childcare support policies involve a trade-off between distortionary taxes and benefits from lower child-rearing costs and a larger future workforce.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors suggest this matters because many developed economies are facing lower fertility and aging populations, and childlessness is rising. The study indicates that childcare support policies may be beneficial for many households, but preferred tax rates differ across households.
What the researchers tested
The researchers extended a simple overlapping generations (OLG) model, a framework that tracks different age groups over time, to study how childlessness affects household utility. They treated the share of childless households as endogenous, meaning it is determined within the model by utility maximization, and they used numerical simulations to assess childcare support policies.
What worked and what didn't
The model suggests that an increase in childlessness generally reduces overall household utility. The numerical simulations suggest that most households favor introducing childcare support, but the tax rates they prefer vary substantially.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe empirical data, so the findings come from a model and simulations rather than direct observation. It also does not provide detailed limits beyond the modeled trade-offs and the variation in preferred tax rates.
Key points
- A higher proportion of childless households generally lowers overall household utility in the model.
- The model evaluates childcare support by weighing taxes against lower child-rearing costs and a larger future workforce.
- Numerical simulations suggest most households prefer childcare support policies.
- Preferred tax rates differ substantially across households.
- The study uses an overlapping generations model with childlessness determined endogenously.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Childlessness is linked to lower household utility in an OLG model
- Authors:
- Daisuke Ikazaki
- Institutions:
- Japan Women's University
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-06
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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