Working Paper: NBER ID: w20586
Authors: Grant Miller; Kimberly Singer Babiarz
Abstract: This paper reviews empirical evidence on the micro-level consequences of family planning programs in middle- and low-income countries. In doing so, it focuses on fertility outcomes (the number and timing of births), women’s health and socio-economic outcomes (mortality, human capital, and labor force participation), and children’s health and socio-economic outcomes throughout the life cycle. Although effect sizes are heterogeneous, long-term studies imply that in practice, family planning programs may only explain a modest share of fertility decline in real-world settings (explaining 4-20% of fertility decline among studies finding significant effects). Family planning programs may also have quantitatively modest - but practically meaningful - effects on the socio-economic welfare of individuals and families.
Keywords: Family Planning; Fertility; Socioeconomic Outcomes; Women; Children
JEL Codes: I15; J12; J13; J18; N3; O15
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Family planning programs (J13) | Women's educational attainment (I24) |
| Family planning programs (J13) | Children's educational outcomes (I21) |
| Demand-side factors (R22) | Fertility decline (J19) |
| Supply factors + Demand-side factors (J23) | Fertility changes (J13) |
| Family planning programs (J13) | Fertility decline (J19) |