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Compulsory education and fertility: evidence from Poland’s education reform in 1956

Author

Listed:
  • Stefani Milovanska-Farrington

    (The University of Tampa
    George Mason University
    IZA Institute of Labor Economics)

  • Stephen Farrington

    (The University of Tampa)

Abstract

Given the recent low birth rates, aging population, and general importance of education, this study revisits the effect of educational attainment on fertility and examines the impact of the introduction of compulsory schooling in Poland in 1956 on later fertility outcomes. We find that individuals who went to school after the reform came into effect were more likely to obtain primary school but not higher education. These individuals became more likely to have a child and to have more children and had a child at an earlier age compared to unaffected individuals. Higher education, however, is associated with a lower likelihood of becoming a parent, and those who became parents did so at a later age. The findings are useful for policies aimed to encourage the population to obtain higher education and to influence fertility decisions.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefani Milovanska-Farrington & Stephen Farrington, 2023. "Compulsory education and fertility: evidence from Poland’s education reform in 1956," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 139-161, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:iecepo:v:20:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1007_s10368-023-00556-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10368-023-00556-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Compulsory schooling; Fertility; Two-stage least squares;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J01 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics: General
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General

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