Effects of policy on fertility: A systematic review of (quasi)experiments
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Date
2020-02Metadata
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Abstract
This paper describes the results of a systematic review of the literature of policy effects on fertility after 1970 in Europe, USA, Canada and Australia. Empirical studies were selected through extensive systematic searches, with subsequent literature list screening. Inclusion was conditional on implementing an experimental or quasi-experimental design. 57 published papers and recent working papers were included, covering the topics of parental leave, childcare, health services, universal child transfers and welfare reforms. Childcare and universal transfers seem to have the most positive effects on fertility. Few effects were found for parental leave, but this could be linked to these reforms not lending themselves to efficient (quasi)experimental evaluation. Withdrawing cash transfers to families through welfare reforms has limited fertility effects. Subsidizing assisted reproductive technologies show some promise in increasing birth rates of women above age 35.
Description
This work was funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Families, the Ministry of Health and Care Services, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Education and Research through the “Determinants of falling fertility” project, and supported by the Norwegian Research Council through its Centres of Excellence funding scheme (#262700) and the FAMGEN project (#236926).