In most advanced economies, economic prosperity has paradoxically been accompanied by a sustained decline in fertility rates. This pattern is also evident in Taiwan. At the same time, Taiwan has seen a steady increase in both the number of pet-owning households and the average expenditure per pet. These opposing trends give rise to a central research question: are pets substitutes for children, or do they function as complements?
Some scholars and observers have posited that pet ownership may foster the desire to establish a family and enter into marriage, potentially leading to higher fertility rates. Others contend that pets may serve as substitutes for children, satisfying individuals’ needs for emotional companionship and care without the commitments of child-rearing.
The relationship between pet ownership and fertility extends beyond theoretical interest. It has practical implications for the design and effectiveness of fertility-related policy measures. Understanding whether pets encourage or discourage childbearing could inform future population policy frameworks, especially in societies facing demographic decline.
To investigate this issue in a comprehensive and systematic manner, this study employs administrative data from Taiwan’s Ministry of Finance (tax records) and Ministry of Agriculture (pet registration data). By analyzing the nationwide dynamics of fertility and pet ownership over the past decade, this research seeks to identify and interpret the evolving patterns that define the intersection of these two social phenomena.