Patterns of Co?Residential Relationships Across Cohorts in Post?Socialist Countries: Less Time for Childbearing?

Co?residential partnerships are a pre?condition for childbearing and less time is spent in these unions when there difficulty finding partners, delay union formation, partnership instability. Our study explores patterns co?residential across birth cohorts 11 post?socialist countries to assess changes the number of years underlying any trend. Using Harmonized Histories dataset, based on data from generations gender surveys, we calculate trends. In about half countries, share women who have not entered by age 30 increased, whereas proportion still their first this decreased universally. The latter trend, reflecting instability, pre?dates transition socialism. Delays starting were seen only few immediately after began but more experienced postponement coming?of?age 2000s. A declining median at former Soviet republics before socialism balances impact increased Overall, declined Central South?Eastern European especially Hungary. Union dynamics may contributed fertility countries. contrast, little or no change post?Soviet indicates that likely influenced women’s behavior.