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Weak support for a U-shaped pattern between societal gender equality and fertility when comparing societies across time

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  • Martin Kolk

    (Stockholms Universitet)

Abstract

Background: A number of recent theories in demography suggest a U-shaped relationship between gender equality and fertility. Fertility is theorized to be high in societies with low levels of gender equality, as well as in societies with high gender equality, with lower fertility in a transition phase. Objective: This study estimates the relationship between gender equality (as operationalized through female political empowerment) and fertility within societies over time, using yearly information on gender equality and fertility for 35 countries. Results: When examining societies across time there is no evidence of a U-shaped relationship between gender equality and fertility. In cross-sectional analyses across countries for recent periods, such a U-shaped relationship can be observed. For within-society analyses a negative relationship is clear at lower levels of gender equality, while no pattern can be observed in societies with high gender equality. Contribution: Theories that fertility would increase following increasing gender equality are not supported for changes over time within countries. Implications and robustness of the findings are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Martin Kolk, 2019. "Weak support for a U-shaped pattern between societal gender equality and fertility when comparing societies across time," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(2), pages 27-48.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:40:y:2019:i:2
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2019.40.2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Julia Hellstrand & Jessica Nisén & Mikko Myrskylä, 2019. "All-time low period fertility in Finland: drivers, tempo effects, and cohort implications," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2019-006, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    2. Julia Hellstrand & Jessica Nisén & Mikko Myrskylä, 2021. "Less partnering, less children, or both? Analysis of the drivers of first-birth decline in Finland since 2010?," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2021-008, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    3. Muzhi Zhou & Man-Yee Kan, 2019. "A new family equilibrium? Changing dynamics between the gender division of labor and fertility in Great Britain, 1991–2017," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 40(50), pages 1455-1500.
    4. Henrik-Alexander Schubert & Christian Dudel & Marina Kolobova & Mikko Myrskylä, 2023. "Revisiting the J-shape: human development and fertility in the United States," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2023-022, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    5. Daniele Florean, 2022. "Changing mind, changing plans? Instability of individual gender attitudes and postponement of marriage in Germany," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 47(25), pages 777-792.
    6. Katia Begall & Nicole Hiekel, 2024. "Beyond the continuum: a micro-level analysis of the gender equality-fertility nexus in three Nordic countries," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2024-004, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    7. Aïda Solé-Auró & Bruno Arpino, 2024. "Gender inequalities in social club participation in Europe: the role of women’s empowerment at the country level," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 3655-3672, August.
    8. Julia Hellstrand & Jessica Nisén & Mikko Myrskylä, 2022. "Less Partnering, Less Children, or Both? Analysis of the Drivers of First Birth Decline in Finland Since 2010," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 38(2), pages 191-221, May.
    9. Victor Leocádio & Ana Paula Verona & Simone Wajnman, 2025. "A review of research of the relationship between gender equity and fertility in low-fertility settings," Journal of Population Research, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 1-26, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    fertility; gender equality; human development; Human Fertility Database (HFD); gender;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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