In modern society, numerous demographic changes are occurring such as lower fertility rates, an increase in the age of mothers at childbirth, and bigger number of families without children. These changes are most often viewed from a social perspective, while individual differences that contribute to decisions about having children are overlooked. Therefore, the aim of this research is to examine the role of certain psychological variables, with an emphasis on attachment and emotional intelligence in the motivation for parenthood among a sample of Croatian female students. A total of 234 female students from the University of Zagreb participated in an online survey, completing questionnaires and scales on sociodemographic data, religiosity, adult attachment in close relationships, emotional competencies, and the desire to have children. Statistical analyses revealed that the students had a moderate level of both positive and negative motivation for parenthood, with these motivations being equally expressed. Positive motivation for parenthood was positively correlated with religiosity and a very low correlation was found with emotional intelligence and the ability to perceive and understand emotions. Negative motivation for parenthood was positively correlated with the dimension of anxiety and negatively correlated with religiosity, emotional intelligence, the ability to perceive and understand emotions, the expression and naming emotions and the regulation and management of emotions. Significant predictors of both positive and negative motivation for parenthood were found to be religiosity and the ability to regulate and manage emotions. Most of the students expressed a desire to have two children, but supported the decision of other women not to have children. They considered the ideal age for having a first child to be between 25 and 29 years. The demographic measures they identified as most important included ensuring healthcare for mother and child, subsidizing housing loans or rent and encouraging fathers to become more actively involved in the care of infants.