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PreprintCited by 13Family Dynamics and RelationshipsGender, Labor, and Family DynamicsSocial Policies and Family

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Causal Analysis of Policy Effects on Fertility

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Hart, Rannveig, Bergsvik, Janna, Fauske, Agnes, Kim, Wookun·2023·Springer eBooks
DOI 10.2139/ssrn.4608812
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Abstract

This chapter reviews the literature on the causal effects of policies on fertility. It focuses on evidence from experiments and quasi-experiments in low fertility contexts, including studies from Europe, Northern America, Oceania and Asia. Making no a priori restrictions on policy type, the review encompasses evaluations of parental leave, childcare, health insurance, and financial incentives such as child transfers. Childcare expansions increase completed fertility. Financial incentives had positive effects on fertility across contexts, both in the short and long run. Expansions of parental leave rights in Central Europe, and introduction of parental leave in the U.S., also had positive effects. Distributional effects of these policies are very different, with parental leave compensation benefiting high-earning couples, while expansions of child care programs have potential to reduce social inequalities.

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Metadata

Authors
Hart, R., Bergsvik, J., Fauske, A., & Kim, W.
Affiliations
  • Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NO)
  • Statistics Norway (NO)
  • University of Oslo (NO)
  • Southern Methodist University (US)
Corresponding author
Hart, Rannveig
ORCID
Venue
Springer eBooks
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023
Pages
1-25
DOI
10.2139/ssrn.4608812
OpenAlex
W4393106839
Cited by
13
References
4
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 2
FWCI
56.45
Type
book chapter
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Springer eBooks (publishedVersion)
  • SSRN Electronic Journal (acceptedVersion)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Econstor (Econstor) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Social Policies and Family
Keywords
fertility policy, low fertility, parental leave, childcare policy, health insurance, distributional effects, assisted reproduction, social inequality

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