Third-child fertility intentions and influencing factors among female workers of reproductive age in Shandong under China's three-child policy

Female workers face career-family conflicts and may avoid having a third child due to multiple factors. To achieve sustainable population development, China should intensify efforts to promote the three-child policy, clarify its benefits and implementation mechanisms, and address barriers to uptake, alongside expanding affordable quality public childcare, increasing childcare subsidies, and legislating family-friendly practices (e.g., flexible work) in private sectors. The study findings offer actionable insights for low-fertility regions with similar socio-cultural contexts, including other provinces in China and specific areas in East Asia.