Differential Fertility, Human Capital, and Development

Tom Vogl

No 19128, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Using micro-data from 48 developing countries, I document a recent reversal in the income-fertility relationship and its aggregate implications. Before 1960, children from larger families had richer parents and obtained more education. By century's end, both patterns had reversed. Consequently, income differentials in fertility historically raised average education but now reduce it. While the reversal is unrelated to changes in GDP, women's work, sectoral composition, or health, half is attributable to rising aggregate education in the parents' generation. The results support a model in which rising skill returns lowered the minimum income at which parents invest in education.

JEL-codes: E24 I25 J1 O1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-dem, nep-dev, nep-hrm and nep-mac
Note: CH DEV ED EFG
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Published as Tom S. Vogl, 2016. "Differential Fertility, Human Capital, and Development," The Review of Economic Studies, vol 83(1), pages 365-401.

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