COVID-19 and (Un)Desired Fertility: The Effect of Stay-at-Home Orders on Abortions in Mexico City

Abstract

COVID-19 mitigation policies, including stay-at-home (SAH) orders, have been implemented in Mexico leading to unintended consequences for women's sexual and reproductive health. We study the effects of SAH orders on the number of abortions performed by Mexico City's public abortion program and analyze effects on desired fertility. Using difference-in-difference estimations and event study analyses, we show that SAH orders lead to a decrease in abortions of at least 25%. By complementing our analysis using call data from the government's helpline for women, we anticipate effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on fertility and present evidence of an increase in unwanted pregnancies.

Keywords: COVID-19, fertility, abortion, reproductive health

JEL Classification: I18, I12, J13