Disease and fertility: Evidence from the 1918–19 influenza pandemic in Sweden

Nina Boberg-Fazlic, Maryna Ivets, Martin Karlsson and Therese Nilsson ()

Economics & Human Biology, 2021, vol. 43, issue C

Abstract: What are the consequences of a severe health shock like an influenza pandemic on fertility? Using rich administrative data and a difference-in-differences approach, we evaluate fertility responses to the 1918–19 influenza pandemic in Sweden. We find evidence of a small baby boom following the end of the pandemic, but we show that this effect is second-order compared to a strong long-term negative fertility effect. Within this net fertility decline there are compositional effects: we observe a relative increase in births to married women and to better-off families. Several factors – including disruptions to the marriage market and income effects – contribute to the long-term fertility reduction. The results are consistent with studies that find a positive fertility response following natural disasters, but we show that this effect is short-lived.

Keywords: 1918-19 influenza pandemic; Fertility; Difference-in-Differences; Sweden (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:43:y:2021:i:c:s1570677x21000447

DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2021.101020

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