Story perspectives

Right-Wing Views and Religiosity Boost Fertility, Study Finds

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Janko Mededovic found that stronger right-wing ideology and higher religiousness are linked to more children.
The analytic sample included 78,754 participants from 72 countries after exclusions.
Age was the strongest predictor of child number, with conservative attitudes having smaller but consistent effects, especially for women.
Right-wing ideology raised fertility among less-educated but not highly educated participants, while low religiousness with non-religious partners yielded the lowest fertility rates.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Janko Mededovic found that stronger right-wing ideology and higher religiousness are linked to more children.
The analytic sample included 78,754 participants from 72 countries after exclusions.
Age was the strongest predictor of child number, with conservative attitudes having smaller but consistent effects, especially for women.
Right-wing ideology raised fertility among less-educated but not highly educated participants, while low religiousness with non-religious partners yielded the lowest fertility rates.