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Economic Security and Fertility: Evidence from the Mincome Experiment

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  • Dökmeci, Tuna
  • Rainer, Carla
  • Schneebaum, Alyssa

Abstract

Using experimental data, this paper analyzes the relationship between households' economic security and their fertility decisions for low-income households. Between 1974 and 1977, a randomized controlled trial was conducted in Manitoba, Canada in which the treatment groups received differing levels of guaranteed annual income. All of the program participants were low-income households. We find positive effects of the program on the probability of child birth that range between 7 to 10 percentage points.

Suggested Citation

  • Dökmeci, Tuna & Rainer, Carla & Schneebaum, Alyssa, 2023. "Economic Security and Fertility: Evidence from the Mincome Experiment," Department of Economics Working Paper Series 332, WU Vienna University of Economics and Business.
    • Handle: RePEc:wiw:wus005:35832609
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    Cited by:

    1. Miska Simanainen, 2025. "How Changes in Cash Transfers Can Affect Childbearing Among Low-Income Women: Evidence from the Finnish Basic Income Experiment," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 41(1), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Rannveig Hart & Janna Bergsvik & Agnes Fauske & Wookun Kim, 2023. "Causal Analysis of Policy Effects on Fertility," Departmental Working Papers 2309, Southern Methodist University, Department of Economics.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy

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