Pop Pov

Menu

Fertility, Female Labor Force Participation, and the Demographic Dividend

  • 2009
  • Journal Article
Bloom, David E.; Canning, David; Fink, Günther & Finlay, Jocelyn E.

Publication Title: Journal of Economic Growth

Pages: 79-101

Abstract: We estimate the effect of fertility on female labor force participation in a panel of countries using abortion legislation as an instrument for fertility. We find that removing legal restrictions on abortion significantly reduces fertility and estimate that, on average, a birth reduces a woman’s labor supply by almost 2 years during her reproductive life. Our results imply that behavioral change, in the form of increased female labor supply, contributes significantly to economic growth during the demographic transition when fertility declines.

Resources

PopPov on Twitter

Fertility, Female Labor Force Participation, and the Demographic Dividend

  • 2009
  • Journal Article
Bloom, David E.; Canning, David; Fink, Günther & Finlay, Jocelyn E.

Publication Title: Journal of Economic Growth

Pages: 79-101

Abstract: We estimate the effect of fertility on female labor force participation in a panel of countries using abortion legislation as an instrument for fertility. We find that removing legal restrictions on abortion significantly reduces fertility and estimate that, on average, a birth reduces a woman’s labor supply by almost 2 years during her reproductive life. Our results imply that behavioral change, in the form of increased female labor supply, contributes significantly to economic growth during the demographic transition when fertility declines.

Resources

PopPov on Twitter