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Supporting Mothers Back to Work: Experimental Evidence on Employment, Fertility, and Child Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Del Boca, Daniela

    (University of Turin)

  • Favero, Luca

    (University of St Andrews)

  • Pronzato, Chiara

    (University of Turin)

Abstract

Many advanced economies face persistently low fertility alongside rapid population ageing, raising concerns about economic sustainability and demographic balance. Addressing these challenges requires both sustained labor market participation among the working-age population and conditions that support childbearing. These objectives place women, and particularly mothers, at the center of the demographic debate, as motherhood remains a key turning point in employment trajectories and family formation. Using experimental evidence from an intervention targeting mothers who curtailed employment due to childcare responsibilities, the paper finds that improving work–family reconciliation can support mothers’ labor market reintegration, promote investments in existing children, and, under conditions of greater stability, strengthen fertility desires.

Suggested Citation

  • Del Boca, Daniela & Favero, Luca & Pronzato, Chiara, 2026. "Supporting Mothers Back to Work: Experimental Evidence on Employment, Fertility, and Child Outcomes," IZA Discussion Papers 18630, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18630
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments

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