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Explaining International Fertility Differences

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  • Rodolfo E. Manuelli
  • Ananth Seshadri

Abstract

Why do fertility rates vary so much across countries? Why are European fertility rates so much lower than American fertility rates? To answer these questions we extend the Barro—Becker framework to incorporate the decision to accumulate human capital (which determines earnings) and health capital (which determines life span). We find that cross-country differences in productivity and taxes go a long way toward explaining the observed differences in fertility and mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodolfo E. Manuelli & Ananth Seshadri, 2009. "Explaining International Fertility Differences," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 124(2), pages 771-807.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:qjecon:v:124:y:2009:i:2:p:771-807.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1162/qjec.2009.124.2.771
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