Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/218953 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
ZEW Discussion Papers No. 20-025
Publisher: 
ZEW - Leibniz-Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung, Mannheim
Abstract: 
Birth rates differ strongly across European states, despite the deep economic harmonisation process related to European integration. This study uses large scale administrative data from France and Germany to analyse and directly compare fertility patterns in two major European economies over a period of 15 years. Strong evidence is found that opportunity costs play a role in fertility decisions, and for a positive income effect for females with high earnings. Females in Germany adapt their fertility behaviour more strongly in response to economic incentives than their counterpartsin France. This is explained by pronounced differences in the national approaches to childcare support.
Subjects: 
family policy
fertility behaviour
count data
panel data
JEL: 
J13
J11
C23
C25
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
818.04 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.