Trade Shocks, Fertility, and Marital Behavior
63 Pages Posted: 27 Mar 2021 Last revised: 16 Apr 2023
Abstract
Using longitudinal data from the German Socio-Economic Panel, we analyze the effects of exposure to trade on the fertility and marital behavior of German workers. We find that individuals working in sectors that were more affected by import competition from Eastern Europe and suffered worse labor market outcomes were less likely to have children. In contrast, workers in sectors that benefited from increased exports had better employment prospects and higher fertility. These effects are driven by low-educated and married men, and reflect changes in the likelihood of having any child (extensive margin). While among workers exposed to import competition there is evidence of some fertility postponement, we find a significant reduction of completed fertility. There is instead little evidence of any significant effect on marital behavior.
Keywords: fertility, labor market outcomes, international trade, marriage
JEL Classification: F14, F16, J13
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation