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Fertility, electricity and television: is there a link? Evidence from Pakistan, 1990–2018

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  • Luca TASCIOTTI

    (Department of International Business and Economics, University of Greenwich)

  • Farooq Sulehria

    (Department of Liberal Arts, Beaconhouse National University)

  • Natascha Wagner

    (Institute for Management Research, Radboud University)

Abstract

In 1960s Pakistan, every woman was giving birth to more than 6 children on average. In 2021, Pakistan still has the second-highest fertility rate in South Asia with every woman giving birth to 3.4 children on average. This paper uses four waves of Demographic and Health Survey data to empirically analyze trends in fertility in Pakistan between 1990 and 2018; accounting for wealth, education and locational differences, this paper looks at three additional pathways for reducing fertility: (i) electrification, (ii) access to TV and (iii) family planning commercials broadcast on television. Results show that electricity does not reduce fertility whereas access to television has a significant effect in reducing fertility rates. The content and evolution of Pakistani soap-operas are also discussed, and it is argued that the role models, the types of households and the messages conveyed by these soap-operas may represent strong pathways for the fertility decline.

Suggested Citation

  • Luca TASCIOTTI & Farooq Sulehria & Natascha Wagner, 2024. "Fertility, electricity and television: is there a link? Evidence from Pakistan, 1990–2018," JODE - Journal of Demographic Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 90(2), pages 285-312, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ctl:louvde:v:90:y:2024:i:2:p:285-312
    DOI: 10.1017/dem.2022.6
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