New research suggests that working from home is influencing how many children workers have.
A study from the National Bureau of Economic Research covering 38 countries found that when both partners work from home at least one day per week, lifetime fertility increases by 0.32 children per woman compared to couples who work fully on-site.
In the U.S., the effect is even stronger, rising to 0.45 additional children per woman.
Among working adults ages 20 to 45, average fertility climbs from 2.26 children when neither partner works from home to 2.58 when both do.
Why Working From Home Matters
The data points to a clear pattern: more time at home aligns with higher birth rates. Remote work appears to make it easier to manage jobs alongside childcare, which may influence decisions to have more children.
It may also shape career choices, with some workers seeking roles that offer flexibility as they plan families.
Uneven Impact Across Countries
The effect varies widely depending on how common remote work is. Among workers ages 20 to 45, participation ranges from about 21% in Japan to 60% in Vietnam.
Countries with higher levels of hybrid or remote work see a larger potential impact on fertility, while places where working from home is less common see smaller effects.
A Measurable Impact in the U.S.
The study estimates that remote work could account for about 8.1% of U.S. fertility, or roughly 291,000 births per year as of 2024.
While not the sole driver, this places workplace flexibility alongside other major factors influencing birth rates.
Researchers caution that remote work doesnโt affect all workers equally. Access varies by job, industry, and preference, meaning broad mandates around workplace structure could create tradeoffs in productivity and employee satisfaction.
What It Means for Work
As companies continue to define post-pandemic work models, the findings suggest that flexibility may shape more than productivity and retention. It could also play a role in long-term demographic trends, linking workplace policy directly to population outcomes.
