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The Rise of Female Autonomy and the Decline of Fertility: The Role of Mismatch

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  • Claudia Goldin

Abstract

The fertility decline is everywhere in the world today and goes back decades for rich countries. Birthrates have been below replacement in the U.S. and Europe since the mid-1970s. Completed cohort fertility in the U.S. was lower for those born in 1955 than for 1975. The reasons for the initial declines involve greater female autonomy and a mismatch between the desires of men and women. Men generally benefit more from maintaining traditions; women often benefit more from eschewing them. When the probability is low that men will abandon traditions, some career women will not have children and others will delay.

Suggested Citation

  • Claudia Goldin, 2026. "The Rise of Female Autonomy and the Decline of Fertility: The Role of Mismatch," NBER Working Papers 35425, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:35425
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    More about this item

    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
    • N30 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - General, International, or Comparative

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