CHANGES IN HOUSING DEMAND IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION: A STUDY OF THE INTERACTIVE EFFECTS OF MARRIAGE AND FERTILITY IN CHINA
This study examines how declining fertility rates reshape China's housing market dynamics by introducing an integrated analytical framework linking cultural institutions, household decisions, and market outcomes. Unlike conventional research separating marriage and fertility, this paper explores their interconnectedness within China's unique socio-institutional context. Using critical discourse analysis, secondary data analysis, and thematic comparisons, the study highlights how Confucian family ethics, patriarchal authority, household registration (Hukou), and family planning policies collectively influence housing demand. Specifically, it identifies culturally embedded phenomena like marriage-premised fertility, "mother-in-law economics," school district housing premiums, and transitions from multi-generational to "N+1" households as critical factors driving housing decisions. Policy recommendations emphasize enhancing women's autonomy in housing ownership, regulating school district housing demand, and optimizing housing designs for multi-generational families amidst aging demographics. This research provides insights into the resilience of China's housing market and informs coordinated population-housing policy governance.