The Rise of Female Autonomy and the Decline of Fertility: The Role of Mismatch

Claudia Goldin

No 35425, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: The fertility decline is everywhere in the world today and goes back decades for rich countries. Birthrates have been below replacement in the U.S. and Europe since the mid-1970s. Completed cohort fertility in the U.S. was lower for those born in 1955 than for 1975. The reasons for the initial declines involve greater female autonomy and a mismatch between the desires of men and women. Men generally benefit more from maintaining traditions; women often benefit more from eschewing them. When the probability is low that men will abandon traditions, some career women will not have children and others will delay.

JEL-codes: J13 J16 N30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-07
Note: CH LS
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