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The Impact of Internet Diffusion on Marriage Rates: Evidence from the Broadband Market

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  • Bellou, Andriana

    (University of Montreal)

Abstract

The Internet has the potential to reduce search frictions by allowing individuals to identify faster a larger set of available options that conform to their preferences. One market that stands to benefit from this process is that of marriage. This paper empirically examines the implications of Internet diffusion in the United States since the 1990s on one aspect of this market: marriage rates. Exploring sharp temporal and geographic variation in the pattern of consumer broadband adoption, I find that the latter has significantly contributed to increased marriages rates among 21-30 year olds. A number of tests suggest that this relationship is causal and that it varies across demographic groups potentially facing thinner marriage markets. I also provide some suggestive evidence that Internet has likely crowded out other traditional meeting venues, such as through family and friends.

Suggested Citation

  • Bellou, Andriana, 2013. "The Impact of Internet Diffusion on Marriage Rates: Evidence from the Broadband Market," IZA Discussion Papers 7316, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp7316
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    internet; broadband; marriage; search;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • J12 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure
    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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