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Fertility and family policy in Norway - A reflection on trends and possible connections

 

Marit Rønsen

 
VOLUME 10 - ARTICLE 10
 
Date Received: 18 Feb 2004
Date Published: 8 Jun 2004

http://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol10/10/

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Abstract
Below replacement fertility in many countries has lead to a renewed public interest in policies that may encourage young people to have more children. The Nordic countries are sometimes in focus in this respect, as their fertility rates remain relatively high in spite of very high female labour force participation. The key question is therefore whether there is a connection between generous public policies that facilitate childbearing and employment, and fertility. Using Norway as example and reviewing existing research evidence I conclude that generous family policies may be necessary, but not sufficient, to sustain fertility at a reasonable level. In particular, adverse macroeconomic conditions and rising unemployment have counteracting effects, as demonstrated by falling fertility rates in Sweden in the mid-1990s.

Author's affiliation
Marit Rønsen
Statistics Norway, Norway

Keywords
family policy, female education, fertility, Norway

Related links
file Please also see publication 10-6 by the same author.

Word count (Main text)
5245

Other Articles by the same author/authors (in Demographic Research)
file[10-6] Fertility and Public Policies - Evidence from Norway and Finland

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