Economic Conditions, and the Family and Housing Transitions of Young Adults in Russia and Ukraine

Abstract

To what extent and in what ways are 'the reforms', and specifically the tougher labour market conditions and the creation of housing markets, responsible for the decline in marriage and fertility rates in the former Soviet Union? These questions are examined using evidence from surveys conducted during 1999 among a total of 1300 25-26 year olds in Moscow, Vladikavkaz and Dneipropetrovsk, and from four focus group sessions with a total of 25 young university graduates in Moscow and Dneipropetrovsk in 2002. It is shown, first, that the reforms have not made it more difficult for young couples to obtain their own places; second, that an inability to obtain their own places did not under communism, and still does not, lead to delays in marriage and parenthood; third, that the young people who are currently delaying marriage and parenthood are not those who are experiencing the greatest difficulties in the labour market; and fourth, that although the lifestyle costs of parenthood have become substantial, these costs will increase rather than diminish if and when the economies recover. The paper concludes that it is young adults' lifestyle options and choices—new options and choices in some cases—rather than economic and housing conditions per se , that are responsible for the fall in marriage and fertility rates.