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Fertility and polygyny: Experimental evidence from Burkina Faso

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  • D’Exelle, Ben
  • Lépine, Aurélia
  • Bakyono, Richard
  • Tapsoba, Ludovic D.G.

Abstract

Decision-making about fertility differs between monogamous and polygynous households. In an experiment in Burkina Faso that gives women access to free contraceptives, either alone or with their husband, involving the husband decreases contraceptive use among monogamous women, but not among polygynous women. Where there is co-wife rivalry, it increases contraceptive use. This is consistent with a model where monogamous women have a stronger preference for contraceptives than their husband, while this preference difference is smaller or even reversed among polygynous households due to co-wife competition around fertility.

Suggested Citation

  • D’Exelle, Ben & Lépine, Aurélia & Bakyono, Richard & Tapsoba, Ludovic D.G., 2023. "Fertility and polygyny: Experimental evidence from Burkina Faso," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:164:y:2023:i:c:s0304387823000895
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103134
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Fertility; Polygyny; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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