This project examines the shifting fertility intentions of China’s Generation Z in the context of the nation’s evolving fertility policies. It traces the transformation from the stringent onechild policy to the recent endorsement of the three-child policy, reflecting the government’s response to demographic challenges such as an aging population and labor force sustainability. The study investigates the correlation between contemporary fertility regulations and the childbearing attitudes of the young generation, focusing on the discrepancy between the ideal number of children (INC) and the practical number of children (PNC) they intend to have. A survey of 2,251 Chinese Generation Z participants, analyzed through regression analysis and paired t-tests, identifies a notable gap between INC and PNC, underscoring the tension between aspirational and realistic family planning. As part of a randomized control trial, introducing propaganda from the Communist Party of China (CPC) regarding the three-child policy had no significant effect on promoting both the participants’ INC and PNC. Moreover, direct childrearing factors, particularly the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth, and financial burdens emerged as pivotal determinants of fertility intentions. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of the impact of national policy on individual family size preferences, shedding light on potential demographic trajectories for China. |