Fertility, employment and family policy
A cross-country panel analysis
This paper analyses the association of labour market outcomes and family policies
with fertility trends between 2002 and 2019 in 26 OECD countries. While the average
age of mothers at birth of their children continued to increase over the entire period,
these years have been marked by an initial catching-up of total fertility rates after
marked declines in previous decades. Furthermore, after peaking in 2008, total fertility
rates declined substantially, fueling concerns about demographic, economic and fiscal
implications. Using panel data models and building on prior work, this paper links
these changes in fertility outcomes to changes in the labour market position of men
and women as well as with changes in family policies, such as parental leaves and
early childhood education and care. This paper provides insights into the complex
dynamics between family policies, employment and fertility, shedding light on the
factors influencing overall population dynamics in OECD countries.
Available from September 21, 2023
In series:OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papersview more titles