“Backslanted X” fertility dynamics and macroeconom

Authors: Yishay D Maoz

Publish Date: 2007/04/06

Volume: 21, Issue: 1, Pages: 159-172

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Abstract

A large number of pairs of countries exhibit a dynamic pattern in which 1 Fertility in both countries declines across time 2 initially one country has a higher fertility and a lower percapita income than the other and 3 in time as percapita incomes converge fertility rates in the poorer country become lower than in the richer one This article documents the prevalence of such dynamics and offers a theoretical model in which these dynamics emerge endogenously Assuming differences in the degree of utility substitution between consumption and rearing children across countries generates all three components of these dynamics

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