How Women's Rights Affect Fertility: Evidence From Nigeria

A-Tier
Journal: Economic Journal
Year: 2019
Volume: 129
Issue: 619
Pages: 1247-1280

Score contribution per author:

4.022 = (α=2.01 / 1 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This article estimates the impact on fertility of a 1999 reform that reduced litigants’ rights for Muslim women in certain states of Nigeria. Using data from Demographic and Health Surveys, I find that, where enforced, the Reform increased the yearly probability of giving birth by 0.026. This effect stems from both a shift of fertility decisions within marriage towards husbands’ preferences and an increase in the probability of being married. The change in marital status alone may explain 60% of the total increase in fertility. I also find that the enforced Reform increased women's labour supply.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:oup:econjl:v:129:y:2019:i:619:p:1247-1280.
Journal Field
General
Author Count
1
Added to Database
2026-01-25