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The quantity–quality fertility–education trade-off

Author

Listed:
  • Haoming Liu

    (National University of Singapore, and IZA, Germany)

Abstract

At the national level, it has long been observed that a country’s average education level is negatively associated with its total fertility rate. At the household level, it has also been well documented that children’s education is negatively associated with the number of children in the family. Do these observations imply a causal relationship between the number of children and the average education level (the quantity–quality trade-off)? A clear answer to this question will help both policymakers and researchers evaluate the total benefit of family planning policies, both policies to lower fertility and policies to boost it.

Suggested Citation

  • Haoming Liu, 2015. "The quantity–quality fertility–education trade-off," IZA World of Labor, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), pages 143-143, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izawol:journl:y:2015:n:143
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    4. Daniel L. Millimet & Le Wang, 2011. "Is the Quantity-Quality Trade-Off a Trade-Off for All, None, or Some?," Economic Development and Cultural Change, University of Chicago Press, vol. 60(1), pages 155-195.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    demographic transition; fertility; education; child quality; quantity–quality trade-off;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • N3 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy

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