Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/305658 
Year of Publication: 
2024
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17216
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
This paper looks at the relationship between higher education and fertility, focusing on how intergenerational educational mobility shapes this dynamic. Using the 1970 British Cohort Study, we estimate gaps in completed fertility, distinguishing between those who are the first in their family to graduate from a university (FiF), graduates with a graduate parent, and non-graduates. Our findings reveal that while on average, graduate women have fewer children than non-graduates, this difference is driven by FiF graduates. FiF women tend to have fewer children than both non-FiF graduates and non-graduates, who exhibit similar fertility rates. The fertility gap between FiF and non-FiF graduates emerges after age 35, mainly on the extensive margin: FiF women are more likely to remain childless, but those who become mothers have an equal average number of children. Similar patterns are observed among men, although the gaps are smaller and not statistically significant. We identify child-related preferences, self-esteem, and maternal employment in childhood as potential explanations behind the FiF fertility gap, while labour market outcomes, financial constraints, partnerships, and health do not appear to play a role. These findings underscore important considerations for supporting inter-generational mobility and fertility.
Subjects: 
first in family graduates
fertility
childlessness
inter-generational educational mobility
gender economics
JEL: 
I26
J13
J16
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size





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