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Socialized Healthcare and Women’s Fertility Decisions

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  • Resul Cesur
  • Pinar Mine Gunes
  • Erdal Tekin
  • Aydogan Ulker

Abstract

We examine the effect of a nationwide healthcare reform implemented in Turkey on women’s fertility decisions. Established in 2005, the Family Medicine Program (FMP) provides a wide range of free-of-charge healthcare services to all Turkish citizens through neighborhood clinics. Results indicate that the FMP significantly reduced childbearing among females at various age categories, especially teenagers and those aged 25–29. Among teenagers, the FMP had an immediate impact on childbearing that is increasing over time, suggesting that the reproductive-heath and family-planning services had a direct negative influence on unplanned pregnancies. Among nonteenage women, however, the program had a gradual and slowly increasing impact over time, consistent with the notion that the FMP might have led to greater female empowerment. The results from an auxiliary analysis suggest that the FMP might have played a significant role in promoting gender equality and female empowerment, a finding consistent with reduced fertility.

Suggested Citation

  • Resul Cesur & Pinar Mine Gunes & Erdal Tekin & Aydogan Ulker, 2023. "Socialized Healthcare and Women’s Fertility Decisions," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 58(3), pages 1028-1055.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:jhriss:v:58:y:2023:i:3:p:1028-1055
    Note: DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.59.1.0419-10155R3
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • I13 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Insurance, Public and Private
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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