The Relationship Between Gender, Macroeconomic Conditions and Fertility Dynamics
Channel: Latest Thinking
Date: 2021-03-05

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Pro-cyclical fertility means that families have more children when macroeconomic conditions are better. In this video, SENA COSKUN explores the complex factors that underpin such decisions. Conducting an empirical study which analyzes data from different US states since the 1970s as well as theoretical modeling, Coskun emphasizes the importance of gender to fertility dynamics.
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Generally speaking, women tend to work in industries (e.g. health, education) that are less impacted by recession than men. The likelihood that they will need to take on the role of breadwinner during a recession can push them towards deciding to invest in education rather than having more children. 
This is a key factor underlying pro-cyclical fertility and one that needs to be taken into account in policy formulation and implementation.
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Sena Coskun is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Department of Economics: https://www.vwl.uni-mannheim.de/coskun/


0:00 Question
2:12 Method
3:46 Findings
6:14 Relevance
7:44 Outlook