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The Impact of Air Pollution and Information Access on Women's Fertility Decisions: Evidence from Thailand

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  • Pasita Chaijaroen
  • Pallavi Panda

Abstract

Despite increased exposure to air pollution concentration (PM2.5) and access to information, household fertility response to climate anxiety remains understudied in developing countries. To assess if individuals actively increase information gathering and correspondingly change their fertility decisions, we integrate panel socioeconomic and demographic data and Google Trends data from Thailand with high-resolution PM2.5 and weather data. Using seasonal exposure to forest fires and an instrumental variable approach, we find evidence of an increase in information-seeking behavior that contributes to a decline in young women's fertility. These findings shed light on salient factors that can shape a country's fertility patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Pasita Chaijaroen & Pallavi Panda, 2025. "The Impact of Air Pollution and Information Access on Women's Fertility Decisions: Evidence from Thailand," AEA Papers and Proceedings, American Economic Association, vol. 115, pages 287-291, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:aea:apandp:v:115:y:2025:p:287-91
    DOI: 10.1257/pandp.20251127
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • Q51 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Valuation of Environmental Effects
    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming

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