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Educational Expansions and Fertility: Evidence from Norwegian College Reforms

Author

Listed:
  • Adrian Farner Rogne

    (Institute for Social Research
    University of Oslo)

  • Agnes Fauske

    (University of Oslo
    Religion, and Worldview Research)

  • Rannveig Kaldager Hart

    (University of Oslo
    Norwegian Institute of Public Health)

Abstract

Previous research has pointed to educational expansions and increased educational attainment among women as an important factor contributing to reductions in fertility levels and changes in family formation patterns in the second half of the twentieth century. We investigate one potential mechanism that may have contributed to these developments—the establishment of local colleges providing access to higher education for broader segments of the population. We study the establishment of regional colleges in Norway 1973–83. Taking advantage of population-wide administrative register data, historical data sources and recent developments in difference-in-differences methodology, we employ an event study design to assess the impact of local colleges on cohort fertility and age-specific fertility outcomes, as well as age at marriage and regional mobility as potential mechanisms. Our findings suggest that access to local colleges did not impact fertility, family formation or mobility to any substantial degree.

Suggested Citation

  • Adrian Farner Rogne & Agnes Fauske & Rannveig Kaldager Hart, 2025. "Educational Expansions and Fertility: Evidence from Norwegian College Reforms," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 41(1), pages 1-30, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:41:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s10680-025-09737-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s10680-025-09737-7
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