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The Effects of Gender-Specific Local Labor Demand on Birth and Later Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Mika Akesaka

    (Research Institute for Economics and Business Administration, Kobe University, JAPAN)

  • Nobuyoshi Kikuchi

    (Department of Economics, The University of Tokyo, JAPAN)

Abstract

We examine the effects of local labor market conditions during early pregnancy on birth and later outcomes. Using a longitudinal survey of newborns in Japan, we find that improvements in employment opportunities increase the probability of low birth weight, attributable to shortened gestation. This negative effect is driven mainly by the changes in labor demand for women. However, we find little evidence of a lasting effect of changes in labor demand during early pregnancy on severe health conditions or developmental delays in early childhood. Using prefecture-level panel data, we confirm that the negative effect on infant birth weight is not driven by selective fertility and mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Mika Akesaka & Nobuyoshi Kikuchi, 2022. "The Effects of Gender-Specific Local Labor Demand on Birth and Later Outcomes," Discussion Paper Series DP2022-37, Research Institute for Economics & Business Administration, Kobe University.
    • Handle: RePEc:kob:dpaper:dp2022-37
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Labor market conditions; Newborn health; Low birth weight; Recession;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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