Childlessness has been on the raise in many European countries for decades. Compared to other demographic developments, increasing childlessness is probably one of the most ideologically charged topic. Some observers have characterized increasing childlessness as an outgrowth of an ego-centric society, while other scholars have emphasized the individual and societal benefits of a “childfree lifestyle”. This debate raises important social policy relevant research questions on the social, economic and political factors that affect people’s fertility preferences and behaviour. Are fertility preferences stable across the life course? To what degree are they influenced by societal norms and societal pressures? Which role do family policies play for influencing fertility preferences and choices? This presentation gives an overview on trends in childlessness in European countries. Furthermore, it illustrates the potential of longitudinal data to track fertility preferences across the life course and to understand the barriers that exist to realize fertility preferences.