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Disentangling the Role of Composition Factors in Fertility Responses to Unemployment

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Using a macro-panel data set from 20 Italian regions, this study explores the relationship between unemployment and fertility in Italy between 2006 and 2018. It contributes to recent literature on this subject by considering gender-specific unemployment measures and examining the influence of two important compositional factors on fertility responses, namely the presence of foreign women and daily childcare coverage, and the influence of both of these on the link between unemployment and fertility. The study reveals a procyclical relationship between unemployment rates, used as a proxy of variations in business cycles, and fertility. Positive influences of foreign women’s contribution and daily childcare coverage on fertility are uncovered, suggesting a potential mitigation effect on declining fertility trends during the period under observation.

Source: Social Sciences

DOI: 10.3390/socsci13120683

Authors: Thaís García-Pereiro, Roberta Misuraca, Roberta Pace, Raffaella Patimo

Institution: University of Bari Aldo Moro

Language: English

Topic: Family Dynamics and Relationships

Subfield: Demography

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Decent work and economic growth, Gender equality, No poverty, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,046