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The impact of family policies on fertility: An international comparison Study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Foundation

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  • Volker Meier

Abstract

Fertility rates have declined in all OECD countries throughout the last decades. Despite this common secular trend, there is substantial heterogeneity both in the current level of birth rates and in the past development. Germany, Spain, and Italy display lower fertility rates than France, the United Kongdom, and the Scandinavian countries. All countries use some redistributional measures directed towards families, with some variation in the structure of packages and the leveel of benefits. Although these measures are mainly motivated by equity considerations, they will generally also have an impact on fertility.

Suggested Citation

  • Volker Meier, 2005. "The impact of family policies on fertility: An international comparison Study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Foundation," ifo Forschungsberichte, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 26.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ifofob:26
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Martin Werding & Herbert Hofmann, 2005. "The fiscal balance of children in the German tax and social system Study commissioned by the Robert Bosch Foundation," ifo Forschungsberichte, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 27.
    2. Verena Tobsch, 2013. "Betreuung von Schulkindern: ein weiterer Schlüssel zur Aktivierung ungenutzter Arbeitskräftepotenziale?," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 573, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    3. Martin Werding & Sonja Munz & Vera Gács, 2008. "Fertility and prosperity : links between demography and economic growth," ifo Forschungsberichte, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, number 42.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • H55 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Social Security and Public Pensions
    • J10 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries

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