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The effect of neighbourhood mortality shocks on fertility preferences: a spatial econometric approach

Author

Listed:
  • Nkechi Owoo

  • Samuel Agyei-Mensah
  • Emily Onuoha

Abstract

According to the demographic transition theory, fertility rates fall in response to declines in child mortality rates. Although national statistics indicate that child mortality rates have been declining over time, Ghana’s fertility rates appear to have stalled. This paper hypothesises that women’s fertility behaviours may be more responsive to child mortality experiences at more localised levels. Using all rounds of the Ghana Demographic and Health Surveys (1988–2008) and employing a variety of spatial and empirical estimation techniques, results indicate that in addition to own-child mortality, neighbourhood child mortality shocks are also a determinant of women’s fertility in Ghana. Women in neighbourhoods with large child mortality shocks may desire more children as an “insurance” against future losses, as a result of their increased perceptions of own-child mortality risks. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Nkechi Owoo & Samuel Agyei-Mensah & Emily Onuoha, 2015. "The effect of neighbourhood mortality shocks on fertility preferences: a spatial econometric approach," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 16(6), pages 629-645, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujhec:v:16:y:2015:i:6:p:629-645
    DOI: 10.1007/s10198-014-0615-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pritchett, Lant H. & DEC, 1994. "Desired fertility and the impact of population policies," Policy Research Working Paper Series 1273, The World Bank.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sellers, Samuel & Gray, Clark, 2019. "Climate shocks constrain human fertility in Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 357-369.

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    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • C4 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods: Special Topics

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