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Fertility Reactions to the "Great Recession" in Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Joshua R. Goldstein

    (University of California, Berkeley)

  • Michaela Kreyenfeld

    (Hertie School of Governance)

  • Aiva Jasilioniene

    (Max-Planck-Institut für Demografische Forschung)

  • Deniz Dilan Karaman Örsal

    (Leuphana Universität Lüneburg)

Abstract

Objective: This paper provides recent cross-national evidence of the impact of the great recession on fertility in Europe in the context of the recent decade. Methods: Using data from the Human Fertility Database (HFD), from Eurostat, and from the OECD database, we employ fixed-effects modeling to study how changes in unemployment rates have affected birth rates across Europe. Results: We find that countries that were hit hard by the recession show reduced fertility when compared with a continuation of recent trends, especially at younger ages. Conclusions: Our results indicate a strong relationship between economic conditions and fertility. However, there is variation by region, age, and parity suggesting the importance of life course and institutional factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Joshua R. Goldstein & Michaela Kreyenfeld & Aiva Jasilioniene & Deniz Dilan Karaman Örsal, 2013. "Fertility Reactions to the "Great Recession" in Europe," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 29(4), pages 85-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:29:y:2013:i:4
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2013.29.4
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility; birth order; Europe; unemployment; uncertainty;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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