Diffusion of Reproductive Health Behavior through International Migration: Effects on Origin-Country Fertility

Susan Godlonton and Caroline Theoharides

American Economic Review, 2025, vol. 115, issue 10, 3597-3637

Abstract: International migrants may facilitate the transmission of ideas across countries. We examine the impact of migrant exposure to reproductive health policies on origin-country fertility in the Philippines. We exploit temporal variation in destination-country reproductive health policies combined with spatial variation across Philippine provinces in their migration intensity and historical composition of migrant destinations. Migrant exposure to more liberalized reproductive health policies reduces origin-community fertility. This reduction is driven by increased adoption of modern contraceptives. Visible policy changes, such as commercial advertising of contraceptives, lead to this change in behavior. Firmly established family planning values moderate the fertility response.

JEL-codes: D91 F22 I18 J13 O15 O18 Z13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1257/aer.20231286

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