Revisiting the Link Between Electrification and Fertility: Evidence from the Early 20th Century United States

Daniela Vidart

No 2024-03, Working papers from University of Connecticut, Department of Economics

Abstract: This paper presents empirical and theoretical evidence on the link between the sharp decline in US fertility from 1900 to 1940 and the expansion of electricity. Using data on early electrification efforts, I identify two channels connecting electrification and fertility: time-saving household appliances, which reduced child-rearing demands, and rising female wages, which increased the opportunity cost of childcare. A calibrated quantitative model incorporating both channels shows that electrification accounts for 3.1% of the fertility decline in 1900–1940. This modest effect reflects the offsetting nature of the two channels and prevailing labor norms that limited female labor force attachment.

JEL-codes: E24 J13 J16 J22 O33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 103 pages
Date: 2024-07, Revised 2025-05
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ene, nep-his and nep-lab
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:uct:uconnp:2024-03

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