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Fertility, intergenerational transfers and economic development

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  • Bertrand Wigniolle

Abstract

This paper develops a model of endogenous growth where agents are altruistic and value both the utilities of their parent and of their children. Individuals endogenously choose the number of their children, and arbitrate between financing education, leaving them some bequest and offering some gift to their parents. We establish the existence of three types of long run regime. Starting from a low level of human capital, an economy converges towards a stationary state associated with a constant output per worker, a high level of fertility and ascendant transfers. If the initial level of human capital is not too low, another stationary state jointly exists with a lower level of fertility and no transfer. Finally, starting from a high level of human capital, the economy experiences a steady growth of output per worker associated with a low fertility level and descendant transfers. We then assume that an economy is initially in the stationary underdevelopment regime with ascendant transfers, and we study the power of different policies to push the economy toward the growth regime. We successively consider a fertility control policy, an education subsidies policy, and the introduction of a pension system for the elderly.

Suggested Citation

  • Bertrand Wigniolle, 2001. "Fertility, intergenerational transfers and economic development," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 297-321.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jitecd:v:11:y:2001:i:3:p:297-321
    DOI: 10.1080/09638190210158593
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Birdsall, Nancy, 1988. "Economic approaches to population growth," Handbook of Development Economics, in: Hollis Chenery & T.N. Srinivasan (ed.), Handbook of Development Economics, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 12, pages 477-542, Elsevier.
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    1. Kolmar, Martin, 1997. "Optimal intergenerational redistribution and strategic incentives with two countries and endogenous fertility: Theory and application to the European Union," Discussion Papers, Series II 340, University of Konstanz, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 178 "Internationalization of the Economy".
    2. Brezis, Elise S. & Ferreira, Rodolphe Dos Santos, 2016. "Endogenous Fertility With A Sibship Size Effect," Macroeconomic Dynamics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(8), pages 2046-2066, December.
    3. Kolmar, Martin, 2001. "Optimal Intergenerational Redistribution in a Two-Country Model with Endogenous Fertility," Public Choice, Springer, vol. 106(1-2), pages 23-51, January.
    4. Masatoshi Jinno & Masaya Yasuoka, 2016. "Are the social security benefits of pensions or child-care policies best financed by a consumption tax?," Business and Economic Horizons (BEH), Prague Development Center, vol. 12(3), pages 94-112, September.
    5. Aoki Takaaki, 2011. "On the Implications of Two-Sided Altruism in Human Capital Based OLG Model," Asian Journal of Law and Economics, De Gruyter, vol. 2(2), pages 1-40, July.
    6. Kolmar, Martin, 1999. "Optimale Ansiedlung sozialpolitischer Entscheidungskompetenzen in der Europäischen Union," Beiträge zur Finanzwissenschaft, Mohr Siebeck, Tübingen, edition 1, volume 7, number urn:isbn:9783161471254, May.
    7. Kolmar, Martin, 1996. "Intergenerational redistribution in a small open economy with endogenous fertility," Discussion Papers, Series II 296, University of Konstanz, Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) 178 "Internationalization of the Economy".

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